スピードを落として
supīdo o otoshite
The English phrase "slow down" in Japanese is スピードを落として (supīdo o otoshite).
スピードを落として is used to tell someone to decelerate, commonly referring to the movement of a person or the speed of a vehicle.
Meaning: (''intransitive'') to decelerate (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of スピード (speed), the particle を (object marker) and 落として (the te-form of the verb to drop).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
スピードを落として is an informal request or command used in casual settings or with friends. For a polite way to ask someone to slow down, use スピードを落としてください. While スピードを落として refers to physical speed, you can also use phrases like ゆっくり話してください to politely ask someone to slow down their speech.
How do you pronounce it?
supīdo o otoshite
Did you know?
- If you want to tell someone to slow down while driving, using スピードを落として might sound like you are criticizing their driving style rather than requesting a change in speed. In a car, a passenger might instead say もう少しゆっくり to sound less accusatory.
- In a formal or business setting, you would rarely use the word 'speed' (スピード). Instead, you would use the more formal term 速度 (sokudo) to discuss the rate of movement or progress.
- The verb 落とす (otosu), which means 'to drop', is used for speed because Japanese views speed as something one 'drops' or 'lowers' from a certain level, much like dropping an object to the floor.
Examples in context
- 申し訳ありませんが、もう少しゆっくり話してください。Excuse me, could you please speak a bit more slowly?
- ゆっくり話してよ。Slow down, please.
- スピードを落としてください。supiido o otoshite kudasai.Please slow down.
- もう少しスピードを落として。mou sukoshi supiido o otoshite.Slow down a little more.
- 車が速すぎるから、スピードを落として。kuruma ga hayasugiru kara, supiido o otoshite.The car is too fast, so slow down.
Example conversation
Daito is driving a car with Himari.
- 大翔 Hirotoあそこに工事中の看板があるよ。asoko ni koujichuu no kanban ga aru yo.There is a construction sign over there.
- 陽葵 Himari本当だ。スピードを落として運転するね。hontou da. supiido o otoshite unten suru ne.You're right. I'll slow down and drive.
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、気をつけてね。un, ki o tsukete ne.Yeah, be careful.
- 陽葵 Himariわかってるよ。wakatteru yo.I know.
