ме́дленный
médlennyj
The Russian word for slow is ме́дленный (médlennyj), which is an adjective meaning not quick in motion.
Meaning: not quick in motion (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes its ending to agree with the gender of the noun it modifies, such as the feminine ме́дленная, the neuter ме́дленное and the plural ме́дленные.
How do you pronounce it?
médlennyj
Did you know?
- When talking about a slow process, Russians might use тягу́чий, a word that specifically describes something that stretches or flows like syrup.
- The adverb потихо́ньку is often used for 'slowly' but literally translates to 'quietly' or 'little by little'.
- If you want to say someone is 'slow' in an insulting way regarding their brainpower, Russians rarely use the word 'slow' at all, opting instead for words that mean 'thick' or 'heavy'.
Examples in context
- Он говорит медленно.He speaks slowly.
- Поезд движется медленно.The train is moving slowly.
- Медленные изменения происходят постепенно.Slow changes occur gradually.
- Видео воспроизводится замедленно.The video is playing in slow motion.
- Замедленная реакция вызвана усталостью.The slow reaction is caused by tiredness.
- Почему ты всегда медлишь?Why are you always so slow?
- Не медли, идём дальше!Don't be slow, let's move on!
- Он медлит с принятием решения.He is slow in making decisions.
- Вся компания была вялая и усталая.The whole company was sluggish and tired.
- Этот компьютер работает вяло.This computer is working slowly.
- Настроение у него было вялое.He had a sluggish mood.
- Этот поезд очень ме́дленный.Etot poyezd ochen' medlennyy.This train is very slow.
- Он ме́дленный, но старательный.On medlennyy, no staratel'nyy.He is slow, but diligent.
Example conversation
Alexander and Anastasia are walking together in the park.
- Александр AleksandrПочему ты такой ме́дленный сегодня?Pochemu ty takoy medlennyy segodnya?Why are you so slow today?
- Анастасия AnastasiaЯ просто хочу погулять подольше.Ya prosto khochu pogulyat podobolshe.I just want to walk longer.
- Александр AleksandrНо мы скоро опоздаем.No my skoro opozdaem.But we will be late soon.
- Анастасия AnastasiaНе переживай, Александр.Ne perezhivay, Aleksandr.Don't worry, Alexander.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slow” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
