How to Say "Slowly" in Japanese

ゆっくり

yukkuri[jɯ̟k̚kɯ̟ɾʲi]

The Japanese way to say 'slowly' is ゆっくり (yukkuri). If unsure, use ゆっくり. Wiktionary also lists そろそろ (sorosoro).

Meaning: at a slow pace (adv)

Ways to say it

“slowly” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
ゆっくり	yukkuri	[jɯ̟k̚kɯ̟ɾʲi] (narrow)
そろそろ	sorosoro	[so̞ɾo̞so̞ɾo̞] (narrow)

ゆっくり describes doing something at a slow pace. Beyond physical speed, it can also be used to suggest that someone should relax or take their time.

While ゆっくり means 'at a slow pace', そろそろ is used to mean 'it is almost time to do something' or 'soon'.

Adding the particle と to ゆっくり to form ゆっくりと makes it a more formal adverbial form, which is often used in written or more deliberate speech.

yukkuri

If you tell a Japanese host ゆっくりしてください, you are not telling them to 'please move slowly', but are actually offering them the hospitality of 'please make yourself comfortable'.
The repetition of sounds in ゆっくり and そろそろ is a common feature of Japanese onomatopoeia, where doubled syllables often mimic the physical rhythm of the action described.
While そろそろ can mean 'slowly' in some contexts, it is most commonly used as a polite social cue to hint that it is time for a guest to leave a house or a meeting to end.

ゆっくり歩け。
Walk slowly.
This sentence is useful for an imperative to walk slowly using ゆっくり.
Tatoeba #192953 by bunbuku, translation #30117 by CK
ゆっくり食べて。
Eat slowly.
This sentence is useful for a request to eat slowly using ゆっくり.
Tatoeba #5241324 by nihonjin, translation #1495917 by CK
ゆっくり話すね。
I'll speak slowly.
This sentence is useful for stating an intention to speak slowly using ゆっくり.
Tatoeba #10112000 by small_snow, translation #10111996 by shekitten
落ち着いてゆっくりと話してください。
Please relax and speak slowly.
わかりやすくゆっくりめに話していただけますか？
Could you please speak slowly and clearly?
ゆっくり話してもらえるとありがたい。
It would be appreciated if you could speak slowly.
のんびりと話していこうよ。
Let's talk slowly and casually.
117 more sentences on Tatoeba

Youta and Misaki are walking in a park.

美咲 Misaki

今日はいい天気だね。
Kyou wa ii tenki da ne.
The weather is nice today, isn't it?
陽太 Yota

そうだね。ゆっくり歩こう。
Sou da ne. Yukkuri arukou.
It is. Let's walk slowly.
美咲 Misaki

賛成。景色を楽しみたいし。
Sansei. Keshiki o tanoshimitai shi.
I agree. I want to enjoy the scenery.
陽太 Yota

じゃあ、あっちの方へ行こうか。
Jaa, acchi no hou e ikou ka.
Then, shall we go over that way?

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏