más despacio
/mas despaθjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase slower is translated into Spanish as más despacio.
Use más despacio when asking someone to repeat something or to perform an action with less haste.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of más (more) and despacio (slowly/slowly), literally translating to 'more slowly'.
Which one should you use?
While más despacio is used for the manner of an action (like speaking or walking), más lento is often used to describe the speed of a physical object or a general pace.
How do you pronounce it?
/mas despaθjo/
Did you know?
- The word despacio is formed from de and espacio, essentially meaning 'with space'. In Spanish, the idea of moving slowly is linguistically tied to creating space between actions.
- While más despacio asks for a slower pace, Spanish speakers often use the phrase con calma to express a similar desire for things to slow down, but with a focus on emotional tranquility.
- If you are driving and want to tell someone to 'slow down' as a command, you would more likely use the verb frenar (to brake) or bajar la velocidad rather than más despacio.
Examples in context
- Trata de ir más despacio.Try to go slower.Tatoeba #1658527 by marcelostockle, translation #1657701 by Spamster
- Baja la persiana más despacio.Lower the blinds slower.Tatoeba #10192200 by Seael, translation #13080989 by rdgscratch
- Tom habla más despacio que Bill.Tom speaks slower than Bill.Tatoeba #861306 by Shishir, translation #930031 by FeuDRenais2
- Señor, ¿podría conducir más despacio?Sir, could you drive slower?
- Por favor, camine con más lentitud.Please walk slower.
- ¡Oye, conduce más despacito!Hey, drive slower!
- Baila más lento, por favor.Dance slower, please.
- Habla un poco más despacio, por favor.Speak a bit slower, please.
- ¿Podrías escribirlo más lentamente?Could you write it more slowly?
- Estoy aprendiendo español, así que habla más despacito.I'm learning Spanish, so speak slower.
- Vamos en bicicleta, pero vamos más lento que los demás.We're riding bicycles, but we're going slower than the others.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are driving in a car.
- MaríaPor favor, conduce más despacio.Please, drive slower.
- JavierEstá bien, iré más despacio.Okay, I will go slower.
- MaríaGracias, Javier.Thanks, Javier.
- JavierDe nada, María.You're welcome, María.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries despacio, más, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
