ταχύ
tachý
G5035 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
Quickly, without delay; functioning as an adverb, ταχύ expresses the manner of action—denoting something taking place swiftly, immediately after a preceding event, or soon in temporal proximity. It can also bear the sense of 'suddenly' (taking one by surprise), or 'readily/easily' in some contexts. The core lexical sense is 'in a rapid or prompt fashion.'
Semantic Range
quickly, swiftly, promptly, immediately, soon, without delay, suddenly, readily
Root / Etymology
Root: ταχυ- (ταχύς), meaning 'swift, fast, quick.' ταχύ is the neuter singular nominative/accusative form, frequently used adverbially in Koine Greek.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ταχύ is primarily used adverbially in Koine Greek, denoting the manner or relative swiftness with which an action is performed. In classical Greek, forms of ταχύς were used both as adjectives ('swift') and as adverbs ('quickly'), often in poetic and prose contexts to describe rapid movement or immediacy. In the Hellenistic and New Testament periods, the adverbial use becomes prominent, especially in contexts dealing with fulfillment of time, imminent action, or commands to act without delay. The Septuagint uses ταχύς/ταχύ to translate Hebrew words conveying haste or suddenness. In the New Testament, ταχύ sometimes carries the sense of 'soon' (as in eschatological or temporal statements) or 'suddenly' (as in actions occurring with little warning). English translations can obscure the contextual nuance: 'quickly' and 'soon' overlap but are not identical semantically—'soon' relates more to time until action, while 'quickly' relates to the swiftness with which something is done. Contrast with βραδέως ('slowly').
Translation Consistency
ταχύ primarily denotes rapid or prompt manner. "Quickly" is the most common and natural English rendering in the attested P2 usages, captures both "swiftly" and "promptly" senses, and is neutral enough to cover "suddenly"/"readily" contexts without forcing a different register.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter singular of ταχύς (as adverb); shortly, i.e. without delay, soon, or (by surprise) suddenly, or (by implication, of ease) readily:--lightly, quickly.
Root Family
ταχύς (tachys) — swift, fast, quick
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G5036 | ταχύς | swift (masculine singular) |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5035-01 |
ταχὺ | tachu | ADV |
quickly | swiftly | quickly | 12 |
Occurrences in Scripture
12 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5035-01 |
Matthew 5:25 | ταχὺ | tachu | ADV |
quickly | swiftly | quickly |
G5035-01 |
Matthew 28:7 | ταχὺ | tachu | ADV |
quickly | swiftly | quickly |
G5035-01 |
Matthew 28:8 | ταχὺ | tachu | ADV |
quickly | swiftly | quickly |
G5035-01 |
Mark 9:39 | ταχὺ | tachu | ADV |
soon | swiftly | quickly |
G5035-01 |
Luke 15:22 | ταχὺ | tachu | ADV |
quickly | swiftly | quickly |
G5035-01 |
John 11:29 | ταχὺ | tachu | ADV |
quickly | swiftly | quickly |
G5035-01 |
Revelation 2:16 | ταχύ | tachu | ADV |
quickly | swiftly | quickly |
G5035-01 |
Revelation 3:11 | ταχύ | tachu | ADV |
quickly | swiftly | quickly |
G5035-01 |
Revelation 11:14 | ταχύ | tachu | ADV |
quickly | swiftly | quickly |
G5035-01 |
Revelation 22:7 | ταχύ | tachu | ADV |
quickly | swiftly | quickly |