How to Say “So Slow” in Spanish: Formal and Informal Ways

Bienvenidos amigos! In this guide, we’ll explore different ways to express “so slow” in Spanish. Whether you want to convey frustration or just comment on the pace of something, we’ve got you covered! We’ll start with the formal ways and then move on to the informal expressions. So, let’s dive in and expand our Spanish vocabulary!

Formal Ways to Say “So Slow”

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to express “so slow” formally in Spanish, you can choose from a range of phrases. Here are some options:

1. Muy lento: This phrase is a straightforward way to say “so slow” in a formal manner. For example, you can say “El servicio es muy lento” (The service is so slow).
2. Sumamente lento: By using the word “sumamente,” meaning “extremely” or “excessively,” you can emphasize the slowness even more. For instance, “El progreso en el proyecto es sumamente lento” (The progress on the project is so slow).
3. Increíblemente lento: Similar to “sumamente,” “increíblemente” means “incredibly” and can be used to emphasize slowness. For example, “La computadora funciona increíblemente lenta” (The computer runs incredibly slow).
4. Desesperantemente lento: When something is not just slow but reaches the point of frustration, you can use “desesperantemente” to convey your exasperation. For instance, “El tráfico es desesperantemente lento” (The traffic is so slow it’s exasperating).

Informal Ways to Say “So Slow”

Now, let’s explore some more informal ways to express “so slow” in Spanish. These phrases are commonly used in casual conversations among friends or family:

1. Súper lento: When you want to describe something as “so slow” in a casual manner, “súper lento” is a popular choice. For example, “La descarga del archivo va súper lenta” (The file download is so slow).
2. Re lento: In many Spanish-speaking regions, “re” is used as an intensifier, similar to “very” in English. So, you can say “re lento” to mean “so slow.” For instance, “El internet está re lento hoy” (The internet is so slow today).
3. Terriblemente lento: Another informal way to express “so slow” is by using “terriblemente,” meaning “terribly.” For example, “La fila para entrar al concierto va terriblemente lenta” (The line to enter the concert is so slow).
4. A paso de tortuga: This informal expression, which literally translates to “at the pace of a turtle,” is commonly used to convey extreme slowness humorously. For instance, “El servicio en este restaurante va a paso de tortuga” (The service in this restaurant is incredibly slow).

Examples and Tips

Let’s now look at some examples of these phrases in context to better understand their usage:

“He tenido que esperar una hora para que llegue el autobús. ¡Es muy lento!”

(I had to wait for an hour for the bus to arrive. It’s so slow!)

Using phrases like these can help you express your frustration clearly. Here’s another example:

“La descarga de este programa está increíblemente lenta. ¿Hay algún problema?”

(The download of this program is incredibly slow. Is there a problem?)

Remember to adapt these phrases to your specific situation and context. Now, let’s provide some general tips to enhance your command of these expressions:

• Pay attention to pronunciation: Listen to native speakers pronouncing these phrases to improve your pronunciation. Practice with friends or language exchange partners to get feedback.
• Be aware of regional variations: While the phrases mentioned are widely used, remember that some expression preferences may vary by country or region. So, it’s always helpful to immerse yourself in Spanish media to learn about local variations.
• Use gestures and facial expressions: When conveying frustration or emphasis, complementing these phrases with appropriate gestures or facial expressions can add an extra layer of understanding.
• Practice in context: Use these phrases in relevant situations and try to engage in conversations with native Spanish speakers to reinforce your language skills.

Keep in mind that building vocabulary takes time and practice. By incorporating these phrases into your conversations, you’ll gradually become more comfortable expressing slowness in Spanish.

So there you have it! Now you know various ways to say “so slow” in Spanish, both formally and informally. Remember to adapt them to your own style and practice using them to become even more fluent in this beautiful language.

¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)