Translation guide
How to express 'slow down' in Japanese, covering physical speed, pace of work, speech, and cautionary warnings.
スピードを落として！
Slow down! (to a driver)
ゆっくり話してください。
Please speak more slowly.
ペースを落としたほうがいいよ。
You should slow down (pace of life/work).
Telling someone to physically move more slowly, such as when driving, running, or walking.
Standard phrase for reducing speed, especially for vehicles. Literally 'drop the speed'.
ここはカーブが多いので、スピードを落としてください。
There are many curves here, so please slow down.
More formal version of 'reduce speed', often used in written instructions or announcements.
雨の日は速度を落として運転しましょう。
On rainy days, let's slow down and drive carefully.
Technical term for deceleration, used in traffic signs, manuals, and formal contexts.
前方に学校があります。減速してください。
There is a school ahead. Please slow down.
Adverb meaning 'slowly'. Can be used as a gentle command: 'ゆっくり!' (Take it easy/slowly).
Telling someone to work less quickly, take more time, or not rush.
Literally 'drop the pace'. Used for work, study, or any activity where speed is involved.
最近忙しすぎるから、少しペースを落としたほうがいいよ。
You've been too busy lately, so you should slow down a bit.
Asking someone to reduce their speaking speed.
The most common way to say 'speak slowly'. Can be used as a request: ゆっくり話してください。
すみません、もう少しゆっくり話していただけますか？
Excuse me, could you speak a little more slowly?
Warning someone not to act hastily, often implying 'think before you act'.
Means 'calm down' or 'take it easy'. Often used when someone is rushing or panicking.
落ち着いて！そんなに急がなくても大丈夫だよ。
Slow down! You don't have to rush so much.
Describing a decrease in economic activity, growth, or market speed.
Standard phrase for economic slowdown.
世界経済が減速している。
The global economy is slowing down.
スピードを落とす is the everyday phrase for reducing speed, while 減速する is more technical and often appears in written warnings or formal announcements.
スピードを落としてください。
Please slow down. (casual/natural)
減速してください。
Please decelerate. (formal/technical)
遅くする (おそくする) means 'to make late' or 'to delay', not 'to reduce speed'. For physical speed, use スピードを落とす or ゆっくり. For pace, use ペースを落とす.
✕ 車を遅くする
Intended: slow down the car (unnatural)
ゆっくり走って！
Run slowly! / Slow down!
Negative form of 'to hurry'. Often used to tell someone not to rush.
急がなくていいよ。ゆっくりやって。
You don't have to rush. Take your time.
To take it easy, relax, or do something at a leisurely pace.
今日は家でゆっくりしよう。
Let's take it easy at home today.
More explicit: 'reduce your speaking speed'.
話すスピードを落としてもらえますか？
Could you slow down your speaking speed?
Means 'carefully' or 'cautiously'. Implies slowing down to avoid mistakes.
この作業は慎重にやってください。
Please do this work carefully (implying: slow down).
Means 'growth slows down', often used in economic reports.
中国の経済成長が鈍化している。
China's economic growth is slowing down.
◯ スピードを落とす
Slow down (natural)
◯ スピードを落とす
Slow down (natural)