lentus
[ˈɫɛn.tʊs]
The English word slow can be translated into Latin as lentus or tardus.
Meaning: not quick in motion (adj)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| lentus | [ˈɫɛn.tʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈlɛn.tus] (narrow) |
| tardus | [ˈtar.dʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈtar.dus] (narrow) |
Both words describe a lack of speed, but they imply different qualities of slowness. lentus describes something that is lingering, sluggish or even viscous and sticky. tardus is used to describe something slow in its physical movement, speed or even a person's mental reaction time.
Which one should you use?
lentus is used for a slow, lingering or viscous quality, while tardus refers to a slow speed of motion or a slow mental reaction.
How does it change in a sentence?
These adjectives change their endings to agree with the nouns they modify. For example, tardus becomes tarda when agreeing with a feminine singular noun and lentus becomes lentum when agreeing with a neuter singular noun.
Did you know?
- The English word 'retard', in its old sense 'to slow down', comes from tardus through the verb retardāre.
Examples in context
- Thomas nimis tardus est.Tom is too slow.This example shows how to use tardus to describe someone being slow.Tatoeba #8561862 by alexmarcelo, translation #3171295 by CK
- Lentus eram.I was slow.This example demonstrates the use of lentus in the past tense.Tatoeba #2210003 by alexmarcelo, translation #8783457 by jimkillock
- Quam lentus es!How slow you are!This example illustrates an exclamation using lentus.Tatoeba #7083713 by alexmarcelo, translation #24951 by Eldad
- Discipulus tardus.A slow student.
- Equus tardus.A slow horse.
- Navigatio tarda.A slow journey.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucius and Lucia are walking to the market.
- LuciusCur tam lenta es, Lucia?Why are you so slow, Lucia?
- LuciaMeī calceī sunt gravēs.My shoes are heavy.
- LuciusFestina, nam tempus fugit!Hurry, for time flies!
- LuciaNon sum lenta, sed fessa.I am not slow, but tired.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slow” translations and entries lentus, tardus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lentus, tardus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
