conduce despacio
/konduθe despaθjo/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for drive slow is conduce despacio.
This phrase is used as an instruction to operate a vehicle at a low speed. While English speakers often use the adjective 'slow' as an adverb in this phrase, Spanish uses the adverb despacio to describe the manner of driving. You can also convey the idea of driving slowly by using the phrase Por favor, conduzca a baja velocidad, which utilizes the concept of baja velocidad (low speed).
Which one should you use?
The different forms change based on who you are addressing: conduce despacio is used for a single person you know well, conduzca despacio is used for a single person you wish to show respect to and conduzcan despacio is used when addressing a group of people.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase conduce a poca velocidad is commonly used to mean drive slow.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form conduce despacio uses the informal imperative (tú), which is used when giving an instruction to a friend, family member or someone you know well. The form conduzcan despacio is the plural imperative used when giving the instruction to a group.
How do you pronounce it?
/konduθe despaθjo/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American cultures, telling a driver to conduce despacio might be phrased as vete con calma, which literally means 'go with calm'.
- In many Latin American countries, you will hear the word manejar instead of conducir when telling someone to drive slow.
- The word despacio literally comes from combining de and espacio, which translates to 'of space'.
Examples in context
- Conduce despacio, la carretera está mojada.Drive slow, the road is wet.
- Conduce despacio porque está lloviendo.Drive slow because it is raining.
- Por favor, conduce despacio en la ciudad.Please, drive slow in the city.
- Conduce despacio, hay mucha niebla.Drive slow, there is a lot of fog.
Example conversation
Sofía is giving safety advice to Daniel before he leaves.
- SofíaDaniel, conduce despacio por la carretera.Daniel, drive slow on the highway.
- DanielEstá bien, no te preocupes.Okay, don't worry.
- SofíaSolo quiero que llegues bien.I just want you to arrive safely.
- DanielGracias, Sofía, lo haré.Thanks, Sofía, I will.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries despacio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
