lento
neutral
The adjective for "slow" is lento, or lenta for feminine things. To say "slowly" or "go slow" Mexicans use despacio, often shortened to despacito in a friendly way. It is also called lentito.
Meaning: not fast (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| lento | neutral |
| despacio | adverb, neutral |
| lentito | Mexico, affectionate |
Hablas muy lento tells someone they speak slowly. For driving, people say ve más despacio. Lento describes the thing, despacio describes how you do it.
Which one should you use?
Lento can also mean slow in understanding, as in es lento para aprender, which can sound rude. Despacio is neutral.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The diminutives lentito and despacito are very common in Mexican speech and soften a request.
Did you know?
- In Mexico Despacito is a common soft way to say slowly, and the word is known worldwide from a 2017 song.
Examples in context
- El internet está muy lento.The internet is very slow.
- Maneja más despacio, por favor.Drive more slowly, please.
- Vamos despacito, sin prisa.Let us go slowly, no hurry.
Example conversation
Passenger Alicia asks taxi driver Don Raúl to slow down in Guadalajara.
- AliciaDon Raúl, ¿puede ir más despacio?Don Raúl, can you go slower?
- Don RaúlClaro, señorita. Hay mucho tráfico.Of course, miss. There is a lot of traffic.
- AliciaGracias. No tengo prisa.Thanks. I am not in a hurry.
