hablar despacio
/ablaɾ despaθjo/from spelling rules
To speak slow in Spanish is hablar despacio.
This phrase is used to request that someone talk at a slower pace so that others can understand more easily.
Which one should you use?
While hablar despacio is the most common way to say 'speak slow', hablar lento is also used and focuses more on the physical speed of the speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the phrase as a direct command or imperative, the verb changes based on who you are talking to: use habla despacio when giving a direct command to a single person you know well, hable despacio when giving a direct command to a single person in a formal or polite context and hablen despacio when giving a command to a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
/ablaɾ despaθjo/
Did you know?
- The word despacio comes from de and espacio, literally meaning 'of space'. It suggests that the speaker should leave more space between their words.
- While despacio relates to space, the alternative con calma literally means 'with calm'. It is used when you want the speaker to relax their mood as well as their speed.
- Using hablar lento can sound oddly mechanical to a native speaker, as if the person is a slow-motion recording or a malfunctioning machine.
Examples in context
- ¿Puede hablar más despacio, por favor?Can you speak more slowly, please?
- Él no suele hablar despacio.He does not usually speak slowly.
Example conversation
A student asks a teacher to repeat a direction in a classroom.
- SofíaLo siento, ¿puede hablar despacio?I am sorry, can you speak slowly?
- DanielClaro, lo repetiré más despacio.Of course, I will repeat it more slowly.
- SofíaMuchas gracias, profesor.Thank you very much, professor.
- DanielDe nada, Sofía.You're welcome, Sofía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries despacio, hablar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
