lento
/ˈlento/
The Spanish word for pokey is lento.
Use lento when referring to something or someone who is slow-moving. If you want to describe a person who has a lazy or sluggish demeanor, you might instead use perezoso.
Meaning: slow (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the expression a paso de hormiga, which literally means at an ant's pace, is used to convey a sense of slowness. Additionally, a paso de tortuga is an informal way to express being pokey.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, so use lenta for feminine nouns. The adjective takes the form lentos when modifying masculine plural nouns. The adjective takes the form lentas when modifying feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlento/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone lento can be a subtle insult implying a lack of intelligence or quick wit, rather than just a comment on their physical speed.
- The Spanish word lento shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'lenient', as both stem from a root describing something that is slow or relaxed.
- The word lento can be used in music to denote a specific tempo, similar to the Italian 'lento', which is why you will see the same word in musical scores globally.
Examples in context
- La cola para subirse al juego va a paso de tortuga.The line to get on the ride is moving at a snail's pace.
- ¡Deja de hacer todo como una caracola!Stop doing everything so slowly!
- El tráfico está avanzando a paso de hormiga hoy.The traffic is moving very slowly today.
- El tráfico está muy lento hoy.The traffic is very slow today.
- Ese internet es demasiado lento.That internet is too slow.
- Camina más lento, por favor.Walk more slowly, please.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are walking to a meeting.
- AlejandroElena, camina más rápido.Elena, walk faster.
- ElenaLo siento, soy un poco lenta hoy.I'm sorry, I'm a bit slow today.
- AlejandroVas demasiado lento y vamos a llegar tarde.You are going too slow and we are going to be late.
- ElenaEstá bien, ya voy más rápido.Okay, I'm going faster now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry lento, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lento, CC BY-SA 4.0.
