Slow down
A direct command meaning 'Go slower'. Use this when speaking informally to one person (tú).
Literally 'Lower the speed'. This is very common when speaking to a driver in a taxi or car.
A gentler, more general phrase meaning 'With more calm' or 'Take it easy'. It can apply to actions, speech, or a situation.
Please, can you speak more slowly? I don't understand well.
Sir, slower, please. The street is narrow.
Go slower! There are children playing in the park.
Let's go a bit slower (with more calm), we're not in a hurry.
'Más despacio' is universally understood and is the most common and recommended phrase.
In addition to 'más despacio', the informal command 'Bájale' (Lower it) is very common when telling a driver to slow down.
For the informal command 'Go slower', people use the 'vos' form: 'Andá más lento'.
'Más despacio' is standard. The informal command is 'Ve más despacio' (for 'tú'). The 'vosotros' form, 'Id más despacio', would be used for a group, which is not used in Latin America.
Using 'lento' instead of 'despacio'. — A common error is saying *'Hable lento'* instead of 'Hable despacio'. 'Lento' is an adjective (slow), while 'despacio' is an adverb (slowly). When asking someone to do something slowly, use the adverb 'despacio' or the phrase 'más lento'.
Confusing 'despacio' with 'espacio'. — These words sound similar but have very different meanings. 'Despacio' means 'slowly', while 'espacio' means 'space'. Saying *'Más espacio, por favor'* means 'More space, please', not 'Slower, please'.
Using the wrong verb form for a command. — When telling someone to 'go slower', learners might say *'Tú vas más lento'* (You go slower). This is a statement, not a command. The correct informal command is 'Ve más lento'.
Found this useful? Save it for later.
how to say hurry up in spanish
phrase