dilo despacio
/dilo despaθjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "say it slow" is translated into Spanish as dilo despacio.
You use this phrase when you want a person to speak at a slower pace. While dilo despacio focuses on the specific thing being said, you might also use habla más lento to focus on the person's general speed of speech.
What does it mean word for word?
The word dilo is a combination of the imperative verb di (say) and the object pronoun lo (it).
Which one should you use?
You can add más before despacio to change the request from "say it slowly" to "say it more slowly" (dilo más despacio).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the request more polite or formal, use dígalo despacio instead of dilo despacio.
How do you pronounce it?
/dilo despaθjo/
Did you know?
- Using dilo despacio in an intimate or romantic setting can unexpectedly shift the meaning from the speed of speech to the pace of a physical action.
- The word despacio literally means 'with space'. It comes from the Latin de and spatium, suggesting that slow speech creates more room between words.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, using the command dilo without adding por favor can be perceived as blunt or even rude.
Examples in context
- El discurso del conferencista es muy rápido. Hable más despacio, por favor.The lecturer's speech is very fast. Speak slower, please.
- No te entendí, dilo despacio.I didn't understand you, say it slow.
- Por favor, dilo despacio para que entienda.Please, say it slow so that I understand.
Example conversation
María is learning a new word from Javier.
- MaríaNo escuché bien la palabra.I didn't hear the word well.
- JavierEs una palabra muy larga.It is a very long word.
- MaríaDilo despacio, por favor.Say it slow, please.
- JavierClaro, María, lo repito ahora.Of course, María, I'll repeat it now.
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.
