धीरे चलो
dheere chalo/d̪ʱiː.ɾeː t͡ʃə.loː/word by word
To slow down in Hindi, you say धीरे चलो (dheere chalo).
धीरे चलो is used as a general instruction to decelerate one's pace or movement. Other variations include थोड़ा धीरे चलें to mean walk a bit slowly and आराम से चला करो to mean walk slowly or take it easy. In a more colloquial and informal setting, you might hear ठहर जाओ, भागदौड़ में क्या है? which means 'Hold on, what's the rush?'
Meaning: (''intransitive'') to decelerate (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word धीरे (dheere) literally means 'slowly'.
Which one should you use?
धीरे चलो is an informal command or a suggestion to someone of equal or lower status, whereas धीरे चलिए is the polite version.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In North India, आहिस्ता चलो means walk slowly or proceed leisurely.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'slow down' more politely or to a superior, use धीरे चलिए instead of धीरे चलो.
How do you pronounce it?
dheere chalo (IPA: /d̪ʱiː.ɾeː tʃə.loː/)
Did you know?
- The word आहिस्ता used in North India is actually a loanword from Persian, showing the historical influence of Mughal culture on the Hindi language.
- If you use the formal version धीरे चलिए with a close friend, it might actually sound sarcastic or like you are mockingly treating them as a high-ranking official.
- The word धीरे shares its roots with the Sanskrit term धीरा, which describes a person who is steady, calm, or composed, rather than just a physical speed.
Examples in context
- तुम बहुत तेज़ भाग रहे हो, धीरे चलो।tum bahut tez bhag rahe ho, dheere chalo.You are running very fast, slow down.
- रास्ता खराब है, इसलिए धीरे चलो।raasta kharaab hai, isliye dheere chalo.The road is bad, so slow down.
Example conversation
Amit and Priya are walking through a crowded market.
- प्रिया Priyaअमित, तुम बहुत तेज़ चल रहे हो।Amit, tum bahut tez chal rahe ho.Amit, you are walking very fast.
- अमित Amitक्या मुझे धीरे चलना चाहिए?Kya mujhe dheere chalna chahiye?Should I slow down?
- प्रिया Priyaहाँ, कृपया थोड़ा धीरे चलो।Haan, kripya thoda dheere chalo.Yes, please slow down a little.
- अमित Amitठीक है, अब मैं धीरे चलूँगा।Theek hai, ab main dheere chalunga.Okay, now I will walk slowly.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (धीरे, चलो) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries धीरे, CC BY-SA 4.0.
