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Rápido vs. deprisa

Word practice demo
While both rápido and deprisa can be translated as quickly or fast, they have distinct grammatical functions and subtle differences in nuance. Understanding these differences is key to using them correctly.

Rápido

A1
The word rápido is very versatile as it can function as both an adjective meaning fast and an adverb meaning quickly. As an adjective, it describes a noun and must agree with it in gender and number (rápido, rápida, rápidos, rápidas). As an adverb, it modifies a verb and is invariable.
El guepardo es un animal muy rápido.
(The cheetah is a very fast animal.)
Si quieres llegar a tiempo, tienes que conducir más rápido.
(If you want to arrive on time, you have to drive more quickly.)
Necesitamos encontrar una solución rápida a este problema.
(We need to find a fast solution to this problem.)
Los niños crecen muy rápido.
(Children grow up very quickly.)
Las impresoras 3D son cada vez más rápidas.
(3D printers are getting faster and faster.)

Deprisa

A2
The word deprisa is exclusively an adverb meaning quickly or in a hurry. It can only modify a verb and its form never changes. It often emphasizes a sense of haste or urgency and is very common in spoken language.
No hables tan deprisa que no te entiendo.
(Don't speak so quickly, I can't understand you.)
Se vistió deprisa porque llegaba tarde a la reunión.
(She got dressed in a hurry because she was late for the meeting.)
¿Por qué caminas tan deprisa? Todavía es temprano.
(Why are you walking so fast? It's still early.)
Tuvimos que terminar el proyecto muy deprisa.
(We had to finish the project very quickly.)
El camarero nos sirvió la comida bastante deprisa.
(The waiter served us our food quite quickly.)

Summary

The main difference is grammatical. Rápido can be an adjective (un coche rápido - a fast car) or an adverb (hablar rápido - to speak quickly). Deprisa is only an adverb (hablar deprisa - to speak quickly) and can never describe a noun. When used as adverbs, they are often interchangeable, but deprisa can suggest a greater sense of urgency or haste.