más despacio, por favor
/ˈmas desˈpaθjo poɾ faˈboɾ/word by word
The English phrase "slower, please" is translated into Spanish as más despacio, por favor.
You use this phrase to politely request that someone speak or move at a lower speed. In Mexico, both más despacio, por favor and más lento, por favor are used to ask for slower speech.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of más (more), despacio (slowly) and por favor (please).
Which one should you use?
Más despacio is more commonly used when referring to the speed of speech or a process. In contrast, más lento is often used for physical movement or speed.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, people may use Más despacio, por favor or Más lento, por favor to ask for slower speech.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmas desˈpaθjo poɾ faˈboɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, if you ask más despacio while someone is speaking, they might respond by speaking louder rather than slower, as they confuse the request for clarity with a request for volume.
- While despacio refers to speed, it is built from the preposition de and the noun espacio, suggesting the act of giving things more room to happen.
- To reinforce the request más despacio, speakers often use a hand gesture with palms facing down moving horizontally to visually signal a lower tempo.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría hablar más despacio, por favor?Could you speak more slowly, please?
- Si no le importa, podría hablar más despacioIf you don't mind, could you speak more slowly?
- Habla más despacio, por favorSpeak more slowly, please.
- Camina más despacio, por favor.Walk slower, please.
- Lea más despacio, por favor.Read more slowly, please.
Example conversation
Elena is practicing Spanish with Javier.
- ElenaJavier, hablas muy rápido.Javier, you speak very fast.
- JavierLo siento, ¿está bien así?I'm sorry, is this okay?
- ElenaUn poco más despacio, por favor.A little slower, please.
- JavierClaro, Elena. Iré más lento.Of course, Elena. I will go slower.
