langsamer fahren
To slow down in German is to say langsamer fahren.
The phrase langsamer fahren is used specifically when referring to driving or traveling by a vehicle. If you want to tell someone to slow down while they are walking, you should use langsamer gehen instead.
Meaning: (''intransitive'') to decelerate (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the comparative adverb langsamer (slower) and the verb fahren (to drive or travel by vehicle).
How does it change in a sentence?
To give a command to one person informally, use the singular imperative form Fahr langsamer! To give a command in a formal setting, use Fahren Sie langsamer!
Did you know?
- The German verb fahren is a cognate of the English word 'fare', which originally meant to travel or journey.
- If a German tells you to langsam machen, they aren't talking about your speed of travel, but are telling you to relax or take it easy.
- While langsamer fahren is the literal way to slow down, Germans often use the expression den Fuß vom Gas nehmen, meaning 'to take the foot off the gas'.
Examples in context
- Du solltest langsamer fahren.You ought to slow down.This sentence demonstrates the use of langsamer fahren.Tatoeba #12905679 by Waldelfe, translation #10775772 by CK
- Entschuldigen Sie, könnten Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?Excuse me, could you please speak slower?
- Du musst hier langsamer fahren.You must drive slower here.
- Wir sollten bei Regen langsamer fahren.We should drive slower in the rain.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Hannah are in a car during a heavy storm.
- MaximilianEs ist sehr neblig, bitte langsamer fahren.It is very foggy, please drive slower.
- HannahIch versuche, langsamer zu fahren.I am trying to drive slower.
- MaximilianDas ist sicherer für uns beide.That is safer for both of us.
- HannahDu hast recht, Maximilian.You are right, Maximilian.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fahren, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
