What does it mean word for word?
plus lentement is made of plus, meaning more and lentement, meaning slowly. parle is the command form of the verb meaning to speak.
Which one should you use?
parle plus lentement is for one person you address informally. parlez plus lentement is the form for a stranger, a superior or a group of people. Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement, s'il vous plaît? is a polite question meaning could you speak more slowly, please.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes with the person you address: parle for someone you know well and parlez for formal or plural use. The opposite request uses plus vite, meaning faster.
What mistakes should you avoid?
A bare command can sound abrupt to someone you have just met. With strangers, ask the polite question Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement, s'il vous plaît? instead.
When do people say it?
Learners often add that they do not understand fast speech, as in Je suis désolé(e), mais je ne comprends pas quand vous parlez vite, which means I'm sorry, but I don't understand when you speak quickly.
Did you know?
- In many French-speaking regions, people might use the word doucement instead of lentement to mean 'slowly' when asking someone to moderate their pace.
- French has a specific word bafouiller for when someone speaks so quickly or unclearly that they stumble over their words, often called 'stammering' in English.
- The word plus is a direct descendant of the Latin word 'plus', which is also the source of the English word 'plus' used in mathematics.
Examples in context
- Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement, s'il vous plaît ?Can you speak more slowly, please?
- S'il te plaît, parle plus lentement.Please, speak more slowly.
- Tu parles trop vite, parle plus lentement.You speak too fast, speak more slowly.
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are studying French together in a cafe.
- NathanLéa, parle plus lentement, s'il te plaît.Léa, speak more slowly, please.
- LéaDésolée, je vais essayer de ralentir.Sorry, I will try to slow down.
- NathanMerci, c'est mieux comme ça.Thank you, it is better like that.
- LéaPas de problème, Nathan.No problem, Nathan.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lentement, plus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
