Significado
A request for someone to slow down their action or speech.
Contexto cultural
In Germany, 'Nicht so schnell' is often linked to the concept of 'Ordnung' (order). Rushing is seen as a potential cause of mistakes. The Swiss are known for a slightly slower, more deliberate pace of life compared to Northern Germans. 'Nicht so schnell' is a common sentiment in Swiss German ('Nid so schnäll'). Austrians might use 'Nur net hudeln', which is a dialect way of saying 'Don't rush'. It carries the same spirit as 'Nicht so schnell'. In German business, 'Nicht so schnell' is a power move. It shows that you are the one who controls the timeline and values quality over speed.
The 'Bitte' Rule
Always add 'bitte' if you are talking to a stranger or someone in a service role. It turns a command into a request.
The 'Fast' Trap
Never use 'fast' to mean 'quick'. It's the #1 mistake for English speakers in Germany.
Significado
A request for someone to slow down their action or speech.
The 'Bitte' Rule
Always add 'bitte' if you are talking to a stranger or someone in a service role. It turns a command into a request.
The 'Fast' Trap
Never use 'fast' to mean 'quick'. It's the #1 mistake for English speakers in Germany.
Hand Gestures
Pair this phrase with a flat hand moving up and down (like patting a dog) to emphasize 'slow down'.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word to tell someone to slow down.
Nicht ___ schnell, bitte!
'So' is the standard modifier in this fixed expression.
Which sentence is the best way to ask a waiter to speak slower?
A: Nicht so fast! B: Sprechen Sie bitte nicht so schnell. C: Du bist schnell.
B is polite and uses the correct adverb 'schnell'. A uses 'fast' which is wrong in German.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: A friend is telling a story too fast. What do you say?
'Nicht so schnell!' is the perfect way to pace a conversation.
Complete the dialogue.
Kind: 'Ich will jetzt alle Kekse essen!' Vater: '___ ___ ___, mein Kind. Erst essen wir zu Mittag.'
The father is telling the child to slow down their plans.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosNicht ___ schnell, bitte!
'So' is the standard modifier in this fixed expression.
A: Nicht so fast! B: Sprechen Sie bitte nicht so schnell. C: Du bist schnell.
B is polite and uses the correct adverb 'schnell'. A uses 'fast' which is wrong in German.
Situation: A friend is telling a story too fast. What do you say?
'Nicht so schnell!' is the perfect way to pace a conversation.
Kind: 'Ich will jetzt alle Kekse essen!' Vater: '___ ___ ___, mein Kind. Erst essen wir zu Mittag.'
The father is telling the child to slow down their plans.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it's neutral. However, adding 'bitte' makes it much friendlier.
Yes, 'Langsam!' is a very common and shorter alternative.
'Schnell' is general speed; 'rasch' often implies 'quick and efficient' or 'without delay'.
Say: 'Könnten Sie bitte etwas langsamer sprechen?'
Yes, 'Fahr nicht so schnell' is the standard way to tell a driver to slow down.
Only when it's an adjective before a noun, like '{der|m} schnelle Zug'. As an adverb, it stays 'schnell'.
'So' means 'that' or 'this' (to this degree). 'Nicht sehr schnell' means 'not very fast', which is a description, not a request to slow down.
Yes, 'Sachte!' or 'Immer locker bleiben'.
Yes, 'Iss nicht so schnell!' is common for parents to say to kids.
'Schneller!' or 'Beeil dich!' (Hurry up!).
Frases relacionadas
Langsam
synonymSlowly
Warte mal
similarWait a second
Sachte
specialized formGently/Easy
Immer mit der Ruhe
similarTake it easy
Halt
contrastStop
