despacio
/desˈpaθjo/
The English phrase 'slowly' can be translated into Spanish using several forms, the default being despacio. Wiktionary also lists lentamente and con despacio.
Meaning: at a slow pace (adv)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| despacio | /desˈpaθjo/ /desˈpasjo/ |
| lentamente | /ˌlentaˈmente/ |
| con despacio | /kon despaθjo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /kon despasjo/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| despacito | /despaˈθito/ /despaˈsito/ |
The most common way to express doing something at a slow pace is using despacio. In certain contexts, this word can also be used to mean 'quietly' or 'softly' regarding volume or the intensity of an action.
Which one should you use?
While lentamente and despacio both mean 'slowly', lentamente is more formal and is frequently used in written text, whereas despacio is more common in everyday speech. The form despacito is an informal diminutive that adds a sense of extreme slowness, gentleness or affection compared to the standard despacio.
How do you pronounce it?
/desˈpaθjo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying con despacio, which is a common error for English speakers attempting to translate 'with slowly'. You should simply use the adverb despacio.
Did you know?
- The suffix -mente in lentamente is derived from the Latin word mēns, meaning 'mind'.
- Adding -ito to create despacito is an example of a diminutive, which in Spanish often expresses affection or minimizes the intensity of an action.
- The global hit song 'Despacito' uses the diminutive form of despacio to convey a sense of intimacy and gentleness rather than just a low speed.
Examples in context
- Come despacio la comida.Eat meals slowly.This sentence shows how to use despacio to describe the pace of eating.Tatoeba #1702301 by marcelostockle, translation #1293085 by CM
- Mi abuela habla despacio.My grandmother speaks slowly.This sentence uses despacio to describe the speed of someone's speech.Tatoeba #1270427 by Shishir, translation #273903 by CK
- Por favor hable despacio.Please speak slowly.This sentence uses despacio as a polite request for someone to speak at a lower speed.Tatoeba #8804682 by ignacio, translation #403059 by Ramses
- El cantante comenzó a entonar la melódica canción con lentitud y delicadeza.The singer started to sing the melodious song slowly and delicately.
- El orador se dirigió al público pausadamente para que cada palabra fuera captada con claridad.The speaker addressed the audience slowly so that each word was clearly understood.
- El profesor explicó el teorema de forma lenta para asegurarse de que los estudiantes lo comprendieran.The teacher explained the theorem slowly to ensure that the students understood it.
- Puedes leer el poema despacito para que pueda disfrutar cada verso.You can read the poem slowly so that I can savor each verse.
- Camina lentamente por el vestíbulo para no hacer ruido.Walk slowly through the hallway so as not to make noise.
- Para mejorar tu comprensión auditiva, debes aprender poco a poco.To enhance your listening comprehension, you need to learn slowly, step by step.
- El niño está hablando muy despacito para que nadie lo escuche.The child is speaking very slowly so that nobody hears him.
- La tortuga avanzaba galopando lentamente.The turtle was galloping slowly.
- Más despacio, por favor.Slower, please.
- 182 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel are walking through a crowded park.
- MaríaDaniel, camina despacio, por favor.Daniel, walk slowly, please.
- DanielLo siento, María, es que tengo prisa.I'm sorry, María, it's just that I'm in a hurry.
- MaríaNo hay prisa, vamos despacio.There is no rush, let's go slowly.
- DanielEstá bien, iré más despacio.Alright, I will go more slowly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slowly” translations and entries despacio, lentamente, despacito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries con, despacio, despacito, lentamente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
