ме́дленно
médlenno
The Russian word for slowly is ме́дленно (médlenno).
ме́дленно is used to describe an action performed at a slow pace.
Meaning: at a slow pace (adv)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adverb ме́дленно is formed by adding the suffix –о to an adjective-like stem.
How do you pronounce it?
médlenno
Did you know?
- To tell someone to 'slow down' while they are speaking or acting, Russians often use потихоньку, which literally means 'quietly' or 'little by little'.
- In a medical or physiological context, Russian uses the term бради- (from Greek) for slow heart rates or breathing, rather than the root found in медленно.
- While 'slowly' describes pace, if you want to tell someone to 'slow down' in a driving context, Russians often use the verb притормози which literally means 'to pull the brake'.
Examples in context
- Я медленно говорю по-русски.I speak Russian slowly.
- Он потихоньку учился играть на гитаре.He was slowly learning to play the guitar.
- Окраска стен менялась постепенно.The wall color was changing gradually.
- Пожалуйста, говорите ме́дленно.Pozhaluysta, govorite medlenno.Please, speak slowly.
- Он очень ме́дленно ест.On ochen' medlenno yest'.He eats very slowly.
- Черепахи ходят ме́дленно.Cherepakhi khodyat medlenno.Turtles walk slowly.
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Aleksandr are at a café, and Ekaterina is struggling to understand a new language learner.
- Александр AleksandrВы говорите слишком быстро.Vy govorite slishkom bistro.You are speaking too fast.
- Екатерина EkaterinaИзвините, я буду говорить ме́дленно.Izvinite, ya budu govorit' medlenno.Sorry, I will speak slowly.
- Александр AleksandrТак гораздо лучше, спасибо.Tak gorazdo luchshe, spasibo.That is much better, thank you.
- Екатерина EkaterinaПожалуйста, Александр.Pozhaluysta, Aleksandr.You're welcome, Aleksandr.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slowly” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
