遅い
osoi
The Japanese word for slow is 遅い (osoi).
The adjective 遅い is used to describe something that is not quick in motion. This includes the physical speed of a person or an animal, the operation of a machine or the pace of a process. Additionally, 遅い can be used to express that someone or something is late in terms of time.
Meaning: not quick in motion (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 遅い can mean both 'slow' (speed) and 'late' (time), other Japanese words carry different nuances. For example, のろい (noroi) describes movements that are noticeably sluggish, often implying a sense of laziness or a lack of responsiveness, whereas のんびり (nonbiri) describes a leisurely, relaxed or laid-back pace without urgency.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something was slow in the past, use the past tense form 遅かった. To say that something is 'not slow', use the negative form 遅くない.
How do you pronounce it?
osoi
Did you know?
- The word のろい (noroi), which means 'sluggish', sounds almost identical to the Japanese word for 'curse' (呪い, noroi), though they are written with different characters.
- To describe a slow-moving river or a sluggish flow, Japanese uses the word 緩い (yurui), which literally means 'loose' or 'slack'.
- The concept of のんびり (nonbiri) is often used to describe a 'slow life' that is positive and stress-free, whereas in English, 'slow' can often carry a negative connotation of inefficiency.
Examples in context
- トムは足が遅い。Tom is a slow walker.This sentence is useful for describing a person's walking speed using 遅い.Tatoeba #2692397 by tommy_san, translation #1025146 by CK
- 私は歩くのが遅い。I'm a slow walker.This sentence is useful for describing one's own walking speed using 遅い.Tatoeba #2328282 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #5858927 by CK
- 私のパソコン遅い。My computer is slow.This sentence is useful for describing the speed of a machine using 遅い.Tatoeba #9162464 by small_snow, translation #9162461 by CK
- 彼は走るのが遅いです。He runs slowly.
- アナウンスがおそいです。The announcement is late.
- 彼はのろく歩いていた。He was walking slowly/lazily.
- 今日はのんびり過ごしましょう。Let's take it easy and relax today.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are walking to a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さんは歩くのが遅いですね。Hiroto-san wa aruku no ga osoi desu ne.Hiroto, you walk very slowly.
- 大翔 Hirotoごめん、少し遅いかな？Gomen, sukoshi osoi kana?Sorry, am I a bit slow?
- 美咲 Misaki大丈夫、ゆっくり行きましょう。Daijoubu, yukkuri ikimashou.It's okay, let's go slowly.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、美咲さん。Arigatou, Misaki-san.Thank you, Misaki.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 遅い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
