慢
màn
The Chinese word for slow is 慢, pronounced màn.
慢 is an adjective used to describe something that is not quick in motion.
Meaning: not quick in motion (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 慢 describes the speed of an action or an object, it is distinct from 迟, which refers to being late or tardy.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 慢 as an adverb meaning 'slowly', you typically add the particle 得 (de) after the verb, as in '走得慢' (walks slowly). Reduplicating the adjective to 慢慢 (mànmàn) often softens the tone and can mean 'slowly' or 'gradually' in a more descriptive or gentle way.
How do you pronounce it?
màn
When do people say it?
The phrase 慢走 (màn zǒu), literally 'walk slowly', is a common polite way to say 'goodbye' to a guest when they are leaving your home or a shop.
Did you know?
- The phrase 慢用 (màn yòng), which literally means 'use slowly', is a very common and polite way for staff to tell customers to 'enjoy your meal'.
- The character 慢 contains the radical for 'heart' (忄), suggesting that being 'slow' was historically viewed as a temperament or a state of mind rather than just a physical measurement.
- In traditional calligraphy, the 'slowness' of a stroke is an intentional artistic choice used to convey strength and stability rather than a lack of speed.
Examples in context
- 我看書很慢的。I am a slow reader.This sentence is useful for describing a slow reading speed using 慢.Tatoeba #6321864 by xjjAstrus, translation #10461267 by JimmyUK
- 我们慢慢来的。We took it slow.This sentence demonstrates the use of 慢 when taking things slowly.Tatoeba #13943517 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #3312825 by CK
- 服务器有点儿慢。The server is a bit slow.This sentence shows how to describe a server being a bit slow using 慢.Tatoeba #1541728 by sadhen, translation #7840545 by sharris123
- 这辆车开得非常缓慢。The car is driving very slowly.
- 他的反应有些迟钝。He is a bit slow in his reactions.
- 别这么慢！Don't be so slow!
- 他走路慢吞吞的。He walks slowly.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a restaurant, a customer is complaining about the service.
- 志强 Zhiqiang佳怡，上菜太慢了。Jiāyí, shàngcài tài màn le.Jiayi, the food is coming too slowly.
- 佳怡 Jiayi别担心，我会催一下。Bié dānxīn, wǒ huì cuī yīxià.Don't worry, I will urge them.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我肚子很饿。Wǒ dùzi hěn è.I am very hungry.
- 佳怡 Jiayi很快就好了。Hěn kuài jiù hǎo le.It will be ready very soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slow” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 慢, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
