もっとゆっくり話してください
motto yukkuri hanashite kudasai
To say 'speak slower' in Japanese, use もっとゆっくり話してください (motto yukkuri hanashite kudasai).
The phrase is a request for someone to reduce their speaking speed to make it easier to understand. While it is a direct request, be aware that it can sound slightly demanding if said with a sharp tone. Using a soft tone is recommended to maintain politeness.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of motto (more), yukkuri (slowly) and hanashite kudasai (please speak).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form もっとゆっくり話してください is polite and suitable for addressing strangers or teachers. For a more casual setting with friends or family, you can use the informal version ゆっくり話して by dropping motto and the kudasai ending. Other formal variations include スピードを落として話していただけますか (Could you lower your speed of speech, please?) and 少しゆっくりお話しいただけますか (Could you speak a little slower, please?).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word motto (more) can be omitted if you simply want to say 'Please speak slowly' without emphasizing the increase in speed.
How do you pronounce it?
motto yukkuri hanashite kudasai
Did you know?
- While hanasu means 'to speak', it is also the word used for 'to untie' or 'to detach'. The word for speaking literally shares a root with the idea of loosening a knot.
- In high-context Japanese culture, people often avoid saying motto yukkuri hanashite kudasai and instead use a puzzled facial expression or a tilt of the head to signal that the speed is too fast.
- When using the more formal version お話しいただけますか, you are actually using a grammatical structure that literally translates to 'Can I receive the favor of your speaking?'
Examples in context
- もっとゆっくり話してください！Speak slower, please.Tatoeba #5109 by bunbuku, translation #749202 by Serhiy
- もっとゆっくり話してください。Speak slower.Tatoeba #10044332 by bunbuku, translation #5314116 by KatKoba
- すみませんが、もっとゆっくり話してください。Sumimasen ga, motto yukkuri hanashite kudasai.I am sorry, but please speak more slowly.
Example conversation
A student is asking a teacher to repeat a sentence.
- 陽葵 Himariすみません、よく聞き取れませんでした。Sumimasen, yoku kikitoremasen deshita.I am sorry, I could not catch that well.
- 蓮 Renあ、ごめんなさい。もう一度言いますね。A, gomen nasai. Mou ichido iimasu ne.Oh, sorry. I will say it once more.
- 陽葵 Himariはい、もっとゆっくり話してください。Hai, motto yukkuri hanashite kudasai.Yes, please speak more slowly.
- 蓮 Renわかりました。ゆっくり話しますね。Wakarimashita. Yukkuri hanashimasu ne.I understand. I will speak slowly.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
