Por favor hable despacio
/poɾ faboɾ able despaθjo/from spelling rules
Por favor hable despacio is the Spanish way to say please speak slowly.
This phrase is a polite request used to ask someone to reduce their speed of talking so that the listener can understand them better. In many situations, it is common and natural to preface this request with No entiendo (I don't understand) to provide context for why you are asking.
What does it mean word for word?
The word despacio is an adverb meaning slowly and is the standard way to describe the speed of an action like speaking.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the verb changes depending on who you are addressing. While hable is used for a single person in a formal context, you should use the informal habla when speaking to a friend or someone your age. If you are addressing a group of people, use the plural form hablen instead of hable.
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾ faboɾ able despaθjo/
Did you know?
- The word despacio literally translates to 'from space' or 'out of space', coming from the Latin de and spatium.
- If you ask a native speaker to speak despacio, they may respond by speaking each word clearly rather than just slowing the overall tempo.
- Spanish has a specific nuance where despacio refers to the speed of an action, while lento often describes a permanent characteristic or a sluggish pace.
Examples in context
- Por favor hable despacio.Please speak slowly.This sentence demonstrates the standard way to say please speak slowly.Tatoeba #8804682 by ignacio, translation #403059 by Ramses
- Por favor hable despacio, así puedo entenderlo.Please speak slowly, so I can understand you.This sentence shows how to add a reason for the request.Tatoeba #1936930 by Zuriberri, translation #1936931 by Zuriberri
- Por favor, habla despacio. Soy estudiante de español y aún estoy aprendiendo.Please speak slowly. I'm a Spanish student and still learning.
Example conversation
Alejandro is practicing his Spanish with Lucía.
- AlejandroNo entiendo bien, por favor hable despacio.I don't understand well, please speak slowly.
- LucíaClaro, Alejandro. Lo siento mucho.Of course, Alejandro. I am very sorry.
- AlejandroGracias, Lucía. Ahora sí entiendo.Thank you, Lucía. Now I do understand.
- LucíaDe nada. ¿Quieres continuar?You're welcome. Do you want to continue?
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries despacio, favor, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
