ช้าลง
chā long
To say "slow down" in Thai, use ช้าลง (chā long).
ช้าลง is an intransitive verb used to describe decelerating. It can refer to physical speed, such as a vehicle or the pace of an activity or a way of life.
Meaning: (''intransitive'') to decelerate (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ช้า (chā), meaning "slow" and ลง (long), meaning "down" or "to decrease".
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase sound more natural and softer, you can add หน่อย (nòi) to the end, forming ช้าลงหน่อย, which translates to "slow down a bit".
How do you pronounce it?
chā long
Did you know?
- While ช้าลง describes the act of slowing, Thai speakers often use the term ใจเย็นๆ (jai yen yen), meaning 'cool heart', to tell someone to slow down emotionally or stop rushing.
- The concept of 'slowing down' is deeply tied to the Thai cultural value of 'sabai sabai', which prioritizes a relaxed and comfortable pace of life.
- In Thai, the word ช้า (slow) can also mean 'late' or 'delayed', which is a nuance English speakers often miss when focusing only on speed.
Examples in context
- ช้าลงหน่อยSlow down.This sentence is useful for practicing a direct request to slow down using ช้าลง.Tatoeba #8718062 by pastelite, translation #2187252 by CK
- สามารถทำได้ช้าๆหน่อยไหม?Can you do it a bit more slowly?
- พูดช้าๆหน่อยนะPlease speak a bit more slowly.
- เขาเริ่มเดินช้าลงkhao roem doen cha longHe started to walk slower.
Example conversation
Nicha is a passenger in a car driven by Teerapat.
- ณิชา Nichaช่วยขับช้าลงหน่อยได้ไหมคะchuai khap cha long noi dai mai khaCan you please drive slower?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatได้ครับ ผมจะขับช้าลงdai khrap phom cha khap cha longOkay, I will slow down.
- ณิชา Nichaขอบคุณค่ะkhop khun khaThank you.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatไม่เป็นไรครับmai pen rai khrapYou're welcome.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
