What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of motto (more), yukkuri (slowly), hanashite (speaking/the te-form of speak) and kudasai (please).
Which one should you use?
While もっとゆっくり話してください is a standard polite request, you can use もう少しゆっくり話していただけますか？ for a more formal and indirect approach, which translates closer to 'Could I receive the favor of you speaking a little more slowly?' In contrast, ゆっくり話して is more casual, removing both motto and kudasai.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form もっとゆっくり話してください is polite and suitable for use with strangers, teachers or in professional settings. For much more formal settings, you might use versions like すみません、ゆっくり話していただけませんか, お願いします、ゆっくりと話していただけませんか。 or お手数ですが、もう少しゆっくり話していただけませんか。 In informal settings with friends or family, you can use ちょっと、ゆっくり話してくれる？ or もっとスローペースで話してよ。 or the shortened ゆっくり話して.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb hanashite is in the te-form, which is required when following it with kudasai to form a polite request.
How do you pronounce it?
motto yukkuri hanashite kudasai
Did you know?
- While yukkuri means 'slowly' in a conversation, it is also used to describe the feeling of being relaxed or taking one's time to unwind, such as in the phrase yukkuri shite kudasai meaning 'please make yourself at home'.
- Depending on the kanji used, the verb hanashite can mean both 'to speak' and 'to separate' or 'to untie'.
- A Japanese speaker might accompany the request for slower speech with a slight tilt of the head or a hesitant expression to avoid appearing demanding.
Examples in context
- すみません、もっとゆっくり話してください。Sumimasen, motto yukkuri hanashite kudasai.Excuse me, please speak more slowly.
- 聞き取れないので、もっとゆっくり話してください。Kikitorenai node, motto yukkuri hanashite kudasai.I can't quite catch it, so please speak more slowly.
- もっとゆっくり話してください。お願いします。Motto yukkuri hanashite kudasai. Onegaishimasu.Please speak more slowly. Please.
Example conversation
Yui is asking Yota to speak more slowly during a phone call.
- 結衣 Yuiすみません、よく分からないので、もっとゆっくり話してください。Sumimasen, yoku wakaranai node, motto yukkuri hanashite kudasai.Excuse me, I don't quite understand, so please speak more slowly.
- 陽太 Yotaごめんなさい。もっとゆっくり話しますね。Gomen nasai. Motto yukkuri hanashimasu ne.I'm sorry. I will speak more slowly.
- 結衣 Yuiはい、ありがとうございます。Hai, arigatou gozaimasu.Yes, thank you very much.
- 陽太 Yotaいいですよ。大丈夫ですか？Ii desu yo. Daijoubu desu ka?No problem. Is this okay?
