もっとゆっくり
motto yukkuri
To say slower in Japanese, use もっとゆっくり (motto yukkuri).
もっとゆっくり means more slowly. It is most often used to ask someone to speak or move more slowly.
What does it mean word for word?
もっと means more, and ゆっくり means slowly.
How do you pronounce it?
It is read motto yukkuri. The double consonants in motto and yukkuri have a short pause before them.
When do people say it?
Learners use it a lot when a native speaker talks too fast. Adding a polite request after it makes it suitable for strangers.
Did you know?
- Because of the 'pause' created by the double consonants in もっとゆっくり, the pronunciation itself mimics the meaning. The tiny beat of silence before the 't' and 'k' sounds naturally slows the rhythm of the sentence.
- In internet culture, ゆっくり is the name of a specific style of synthesized speech used in popular 'Yukkuri' commentary videos on platforms like Nico Nico Douga.
- The word ゆっくり is actually a type of word called a 'gitaigo', which describes a state or feeling rather than a physical sound. It is a way to communicate a sense of mental or emotional calm rather than just a physical reduction in velocity.
Examples in context
- もっとゆっくり話してください！Speak slower, please.Here もっとゆっくり asks someone to speak more slowly.Tatoeba #5109 by bunbuku, translation #749202 by Serhiy
- もっとゆっくり言ってください。Please speak slower.This version uses もっとゆっくり to ask someone to say something more slowly.Tatoeba #193326 by bunbuku, translation #4133570 by CK
- もっとゆっくり話してください。Speak slower.This polite request uses もっとゆっくり with the verb for speaking.Tatoeba #10044332 by bunbuku, translation #5314116 by KatKoba
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A student is asking a teacher to repeat a sentence.
- 蓮 Renすみません、もう一度お願いします。Sumimasen, mou ichido onegaishimasu.Excuse me, one more time please.
- 美咲 Misakiはい、もっとゆっくり話しますね。Hai, motto yukkuri hanashimasu ne.Sure, I will speak more slowly.
- 蓮 Renもっとゆっくりお願いします。Motto yukkuri onegaishimasu.Slower, please.
- 美咲 Misakiわかりました。大丈夫ですか？Wakarimashita. Daijoubu desu ka?I understand. Is this okay?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
