Bedeutung
A request for the speaker to reduce their speed.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Italians often use their hands to 'speak'. If you ask someone to slow down, they will likely increase their hand gestures to help visualize the meaning. In Milan, life is fast and so is the speech. In Rome or Naples, the cadence might be more rhythmic but the slang can be thick. Don't be afraid to use this phrase everywhere. There is a famous Italian saying 'Piano piano si va lontano' (Slowly, slowly one goes far). Asking to speak slowly aligns with this cultural value of patience in learning. Italy is still a very hierarchical society regarding age and status. Using 'Parla' with an elderly person is a major faux pas.
Add 'Per Favore'
Always add 'per favore' at the end to make the command sound like a polite request.
The 'Tu' Trap
Don't use 'Parla' with your Italian professor; use 'Può parlare...' instead.
Bedeutung
A request for the speaker to reduce their speed.
Add 'Per Favore'
Always add 'per favore' at the end to make the command sound like a polite request.
The 'Tu' Trap
Don't use 'Parla' with your Italian professor; use 'Può parlare...' instead.
Hand Gestures
Move your hand in a downward 'calm down' motion while saying it to be understood instantly.
Don't be Shy
Italians speak fast even to each other. They won't be offended if you ask them to slow down.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct informal way to ask a friend to slow down.
Marco, ________ più lentamente!
'Parla' is the informal (tu) imperative form.
Complete the phrase with the word for 'more'.
Per favore, parla ____ lentamente.
'Più' is used to create the comparative 'more slowly'.
What should the learner say to the fast-talking stranger?
Stranger: 'Buongiorno!Vogliosapereov'èlafermata!' Learner: 'Scusi, non capisco. _________?'
With a stranger, you must use the formal 'Parli'.
Match the Italian phrase to its English meaning.
1. Parla più piano. 2. Parla più forte. 3. Parla più lentamente.
'Piano' can mean slow or quiet; 'Forte' means loud; 'Lentamente' specifically means slow.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Ways to ask for clarity
Speed
- • Parla più lentamente
- • Vai più piano
Volume
- • Parla più forte
- • Alza la voce
Repetition
- • Puoi ripetere?
- • Ancora una volta
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMarco, ________ più lentamente!
'Parla' is the informal (tu) imperative form.
Per favore, parla ____ lentamente.
'Più' is used to create the comparative 'more slowly'.
Stranger: 'Buongiorno!Vogliosapereov'èlafermata!' Learner: 'Scusi, non capisco. _________?'
With a stranger, you must use the formal 'Parli'.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
'Piano' can mean slow or quiet; 'Forte' means loud; 'Lentamente' specifically means slow.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenMostly, yes. In a context where someone is speaking fast, 'piano' means 'slowly'. However, it can also mean 'quietly', so 'lentamente' is clearer.
Use the plural form: 'Parlate più lentamente'.
Try saying: 'Più lentamente, per favore. Sono ancora un principiante' (More slowly, please. I am still a beginner).
Yes, but it sounds a bit like a command to a dog. Adding 'Parla' or 'Per favore' makes it human.
'Lentamente' is the adverb. 'Lento' is the adjective. Use 'lentamente' for speaking.
It's a syllable-timed language with a lot of vowels, which allows for a rapid, flowing pace.
Say 'Parli più lentamente' or 'Può parlare più lentamente?'.
Yes, in this context it is used to compare the current speed with a slower one.
Only if you use the formal 'Può parlare più lentamente?'.
'Parla più velocemente' (Speak faster), but you probably won't need that for a while!
Verwandte Redewendungen
Parla più piano
similarSpeak more slowly/quietly
Puoi ripetere?
builds onCan you repeat?
Cosa significa...?
builds onWhat does ... mean?
Non ho capito
similarI didn't understand
Rallenta
specialized formSlow down
