بطيء
batī'
The English word "slow" is translated into Arabic as بطيء (batī').
The adjective بطيء is used to describe something that is not quick in motion.
Meaning: not quick in motion (adj)
Which one should you use?
The adjective بطيء describes the state of being slow, while the verb بَطَّأَ is used when you want to express the action of slowing something down or causing a delay.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Use the feminine form بطيئة for feminine nouns and the masculine plural form بطيئون for masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
batī'
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, particularly in the Levant, instead of saying someone is 'slow', people might say they are 'heavy' using the word ثقيل to imply a lack of speed or agility.
- If you are driving in an Arabic-speaking country and want someone to slow down, you might shout على مهلك which literally means 'on your leisure' or 'take your time'.
- The root of the word بطيء is linked to the concept of staying or remaining in a place, suggesting that something slow is something that does not move away from its position.
Examples in context
- الحياة في السّجن موت بطيء.Life in prison is a slow death.This sentence illustrates the use of بطيء to describe a slow process like death.Tatoeba #7990779 by OsoHombre, translation #6127754 by OsoHombre
- لسوء الحظ كان إلى حد ما بطيء الاستيعاب.Unfortunately he was a bit slow of apprehension.This sentence shows how بطيء can describe a person's slow rate of apprehension.Tatoeba #8662617 by Hosam, translation #2121584 by freddy1
- هل المشكلة لدي فقط أم أن تتويبا بطيء اليوم؟Is it just me, or is Tatoeba extremely slow today?This sentence uses بطيء to describe a slow speed of service or operation.Tatoeba #11896523 by Safa_Alfulaij, translation #4237793 by Hybrid
- تقدم عملنا ببطء كبير في الفترة الأخيرة.Our work has progressed very slowly lately.
- أنا أعتذر عن الانتظار، الخطوط الهاتفية هنا بطيئة جداً.I apologize for the wait, the phone lines here are very slow.
- هل رأيت السائق الجديد؟ آها! يقود ببطء شديد.Have you seen the new driver? Wow! He drives extremely slowly.
Example conversation
Sarah and Ziad are at a cafe waiting for their food.
- سارة Saraأنا جائعة، ولكن الخدمة هنا بطيئة.Anā jā'i'ah, walākin al-khidmah hunā baṭī'ah.I am hungry, but the service here is slow.
- زياد Ziadنعم، يبدو أن المطبخ بطيء اليوم.Na'am, yabdu anna al-maṭbakh baṭī' al-yawm.Yes, it seems the kitchen is slow today.
- سارة Saraهل طلبت أنت الطعام بالفعل؟Hal tala b anta al-ta'ām bil-fi'l?Did you already order the food?
- زياد Ziadنعم، سارة، سننتظر قليلاً.Na'am, Sarah, sanantadhiru qalīlan.Yes, Sarah, we will wait a little.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
