Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| धीमा | dhīmā | /d̪ʱiː.mɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) |
| सुस्त | sust | /sʊst̪/ (Hindi, Standard) |
In Hindi, there are different ways to express being slow depending on whether you are describing physical speed, intensity or a person's energy level. While धीमा refers to the speed of motion or the intensity of things like light or sound, the term आहिस्ता is a versatile word used to describe a slow pace or slow-moving actions. For a casual, slow-paced approach, you can use the phrase ढीले-ढाले.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on what is being described. Use धीमा to talk about the speed of motion or the intensity of something like sound or light. In contrast, use सुस्त to describe a person's temperament, specifically if they are being slow due to laziness, sluggishness or a lack of energy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective धीमा changes its form to match the gender and number of the noun it describes. Use the feminine form धीमी when describing a feminine noun, and use the masculine plural or respectful form धीमे when describing masculine plural nouns or when using the word in a respectful manner.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /d̪ʱiː.mɑː/. It has two syllables: dhī-mā.
Did you know?
- The historical root of धीमा may be connected to words meaning 'a lump', suggesting a connection between something slow and something heavy or thick.
- When using धीमे as an adverb to tell someone to 'slow down', the word often functions as a gentle command or plea rather than a strict order.
Examples in context
- यहाँ धीमे से चलें, बहुत ज्यादा जल्दी नहीं करनी चाहिए।Let's walk slowly here, we shouldn't rush too much.
- कृपया सावधानी बरतें और काम को धीमे से करें।Please be cautious and perform the task slowly.
- गाड़ी धीमी है।The car is slow.
- यह संगीत बहुत धीमा है।yah sangeet bahut dheema hai.This music is very slow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slow” translations and entries धीमा, सुस्त, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries धीमा, सुस्त, CC BY-SA 4.0.
