Translation guide
The English word "slow" covers several distinct concepts in Japanese. This guide breaks them down by meaning: low speed, taking a long time, being late (as in a clock), being dull or not clever, and being inactive (as in business).
Describing something that moves or happens at a low speed.
The most common word for "slow" in terms of speed. Can be used for vehicles, people, progress, etc.
この電車は遅いですね。
This train is slow, isn't it?
彼は歩くのが遅い。
He walks slowly.
An adverb meaning "slowly" or "at a leisurely pace." Often used when telling someone to take their time.
もっとゆっくり話してください。
Please speak more slowly.
Loanword from English, used in specific contexts like "slow motion" or "slow life." Not a general substitute for 遅い.
スローモーションで再生する
play back in slow motion
Describing an action or process that requires a lot of time.
Literally "takes time." This is the most natural way to say something is slow in the sense of being time-consuming.
この作業は時間がかかる。
This task is slow (takes a long time).
Can also be used for processes that are slow, but 時間がかかる is often more precise.
ダウンロードが遅い。
The download is slow.
Describing a clock or watch that shows a time earlier than the actual time.
Used for a clock that is running slow. Literally "is delayed."
この時計は5分遅れている。
This clock is five minutes slow.
Describing a person who is slow to understand or learn.
Literally "head is bad," meaning unintelligent or slow-witted. Can be blunt; use with care.
彼は頭が悪いから、説明に時間がかかる。
He's slow, so it takes time to explain things.
Literally "slow to swallow/understand." A common phrase meaning slow on the uptake.
彼は飲み込みが遅い。
He is slow to catch on.
Means "dull" or "obtuse," often used for senses or wits. Can be offensive if applied to a person's intelligence.
Describing a period with little activity, such as in business or sales.
While 遅い can mean "slow" in many contexts, using it to describe a person's mental quickness can be insulting. Use phrases like 飲み込みが遅い or 頭が悪い with caution, or rephrase to be more polite.
彼は理解するのに時間がかかる。
He takes time to understand. (more polite)
He is slow on the uptake (lit. his intuition is dull).