Greetings! If you’re looking to expand your vocabulary in Mexican Spanish, specifically when it comes to the word “slow,” you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to express “slow” in Mexican Spanish. While there may be some regional variations, we will focus on the more widely used terms. So let’s dive in and discover the various ways to say “slow”!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Slow”
When you want to convey a sense of slowness in a formal context in Mexican Spanish, you can use the following phrases:
1. Lento/a
This is the most common and straightforward translation of “slow” in Mexican Spanish. It is a neutral term that can be used in any situation, whether you’re referring to a slow person, object, or process. For example:
El tren va muy lento hoy. (The train is going very slowly today.)
2. Pausado/a
This word suggests a measured and deliberate slowness. It often implies a sense of control and intentionality. Let’s see an example:
El orador hablaba de manera pausada y cautelosa. (The speaker talked in a slow and cautious manner.)
3. Despacio/a
Similar to “lento/a,” this term translates to “slow” in a formal sense. However, it tends to emphasize a slower speed compared to the previous two options:
La tortuga camina despacio por el jardín. (The turtle walks slowly through the garden.)
Informal Ways to Say “Slow”
Now, let’s explore the informal expressions used to describe slowness in Mexican Spanish. These are commonly used in casual conversations with friends, family, or acquaintances:
1. Lento/a como tortuga
This phrase, meaning “slow as a turtle,” is a popular informal expression to depict slowness:
¡Date prisa! Eres lento como una tortuga. (Hurry up! You’re as slow as a turtle.)
2. A paso de tortuga
A variation of the previous phrase, “a paso de tortuga” literally means “at the pace of a turtle.” It conveys the idea of extreme slowness:
El tráfico está avanzando a paso de tortuga hoy. (The traffic is moving at a turtle’s pace today.)
3. Flojo/a
While “flojo/a” primarily means “lazy” or “loose,” it is often used to describe something or someone slow in an informal context as well:
Mi computadora está muy floja hoy, todo está lento. (My computer is acting slow today, everything is sluggish.)
Tips for Using “Slow” in Mexican Spanish
Here are some additional tips to help you use the term “slow” effectively in Mexican Spanish:
1. Omit “es“
When describing something as slow, it is common in Mexican Spanish to omit the equivalent of the verb “is” (“es” in Spanish). For example:
La conexión internet lenta. (The internet connection is slow.)
2. Combine with adverbs
To further emphasize slowness, you can combine the aforementioned terms with adverbs like “muy” (very) or “demasiado” (too). This intensifies the meaning and adds emphasis to the sluggishness:
El servicio en el restaurante es muy lento. (The service at the restaurant is very slow.)
3. Consider regional variations
Mexican Spanish may contain regional variations when it comes to using “slow.” For instance, in some regions, you might come across terms like “remolón/remolona” or “pachorrudo/pachorruda,” which also convey slowness. While not as common, it’s good to be aware of these variations if you encounter them while exploring different parts of Mexico.
Now that you have a solid understanding of how to express “slow” in Mexican Spanish, you can confidently utilize these terms in various conversations. Remember to adapt your language based on the context and level of formality. Happy learning!
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