lent en 30 segundos
- Lent means 'slow' in French and is a basic adjective for speed.
- It must agree in gender and number: lent, lente, lents, lentes.
- It usually follows the noun it modifies in a sentence.
- Commonly used for transport, internet speed, and personal temperament.
The French adjective lent (feminine: lente) is a foundational word used to describe speed, pace, and temperament. At its core, it signifies something moving, acting, or happening at a low velocity. Whether you are describing a physical object like a car, a biological process like growth, or a person's cognitive processing, 'lent' is the primary tool in your vocabulary. It is the direct opposite of 'rapide' (fast).
- Physical Speed
- Used for objects or animals: 'Un escargot est lent' (A snail is slow).
- Process Duration
- Used for time-consuming events: 'Un service lent au restaurant' (Slow service at the restaurant).
- Mental Pace
- Used for understanding or reacting: 'Il est un peu lent à comprendre' (He is a bit slow to understand).
Le train pour Paris est très lent aujourd'hui.
In a broader sense, 'lent' can carry both neutral and negative connotations. While a 'slow' sunset might be beautiful, a 'slow' internet connection is frustrating. Understanding the context is key to mastering its usage. In French culture, the 'slow' movement (like 'Slow Food') has gained traction, giving the word a more positive, intentional nuance in modern contexts.
Elle marche d'un pas lent dans le parc.
La croissance de cette plante est lente.
C'est un processus lent mais nécessaire.
Le débit de l'eau est trop lent.
Using 'lent' correctly requires attention to gender and number agreement. As an adjective, it must match the noun it modifies. For masculine singular, use lent; for feminine singular, lente; for masculine plural, lents; and for feminine plural, lentes. It usually follows the noun it describes, which is the standard position for most French adjectives.
- Agreement Rule
- Masculine: Un garçon lent. Feminine: Une fille lente.
- Plural Rule
- Masculine: Des garçons lents. Feminine: Des filles lentes.
When placed before the noun, it can sometimes take on a more poetic or emphatic tone, but for beginners, sticking to the post-noun position is safest. For example, 'un lent poison' (a slow poison) emphasizes the nature of the poison. In everyday conversation, you will most often see it used with the verb 'être' (to be): 'Il est lent'.
You will encounter 'lent' in various daily scenarios. At the train station (SNCF), you might hear announcements about a 'train omnibus' which is notoriously 'lent' because it stops at every station. In a restaurant, a customer might complain to a waiter: 'Le service est un peu lent ce soir.' In school, a teacher might describe a student's progress as 'lent mais constant' (slow but steady).
- Public Transport
- 'Ce bus est vraiment lent.'
- Technology
- 'Ma connexion internet est très lente.'
In media, weather reporters might talk about a 'système dépressionnaire lent' (a slow-moving low-pressure system). In music, you'll hear it in the context of 'un morceau lent' (a slow piece/ballad). It's a versatile word that bridges the gap between technical description and emotional expression.
The most frequent error for English speakers is failing to agree the adjective with the noun. Saying 'La voiture est lent' is incorrect; it must be 'La voiture est lente'. Another common mistake is using 'lent' when you should use the adverb 'lentement'. For instance, 'Il parle lent' is incorrect; it should be 'Il parle lentement' (He speaks slowly).
Another nuance involves the word 'long'. While 'long' refers to length or duration in time, 'lent' refers specifically to speed. 'Un long voyage' is a trip that covers a lot of distance or time, whereas 'un voyage lent' is a trip where the vehicle doesn't move fast.
If you want to vary your vocabulary, consider synonyms like posé (deliberate/calm) or calme. For a more negative tone, you might use mou (soft/sluggish) or traînard (dawdling). In a literary context, véloce is the opposite (fast), while graduel can describe a slow, step-by-step change.
- Synonym: Calme
- Used when slowness implies peace.
- Synonym: Mou
- Used when slowness implies a lack of energy.
How Formal Is It?
Nivel de dificultad
Gramática que debes saber
Adjective agreement
Adjective placement
Adverb formation from adjectives
Comparatives
Superlatives
Ejemplos por nivel
Le train est lent.
The train is slow.
Masculine singular adjective.
La tortue est lente.
The turtle is slow.
Feminine singular agreement (lente).
Ils sont lents.
They are slow.
Masculine plural agreement (lents).
C'est un vélo lent.
It is a slow bike.
Adjective follows the noun.
L'ordinateur est lent.
The computer is slow.
Common everyday usage.
Elle est lente aujourd'hui.
She is slow today.
Describing a person's state.
Un petit pas lent.
A small slow step.
Adjective after the noun.
Les voitures sont lentes.
The cars are slow.
Feminine plural agreement (lentes).
Le service au café est lent.
The service at the cafe is slow.
Describing a service.
Ce film est trop lent pour moi.
This movie is too slow for me.
Expressing an opinion.
Il a une marche lente.
He has a slow walk.
Noun + adjective structure.
La connexion est lente le soir.
The connection is slow in the evening.
Temporal context.
C'est une musique lente.
It is slow music.
Describing art/media.
Le progrès est lent mais réel.
Progress is slow but real.
Abstract noun.
Nous avons fait une promenade lente.
We took a slow walk.
Describing an activity.
Les bus sont plus lents que le métro.
Buses are slower than the metro.
Comparative structure.
Le processus administratif est très lent.
The administrative process is very slow.
Professional context.
Il est lent à la détente.
He is slow to react.
Idiomatic expression.
Une lente agonie.
A slow agony.
Literary/Emphatic placement.
La croissance économique est lente cette année.
Economic growth is slow this year.
Economic context.
Elle préfère un rythme de vie plus lent.
She prefers a slower pace of life.
Lifestyle description.
Le poison était lent et silencieux.
The poison was slow and silent.
Descriptive narrative.
Le changement climatique est un phénomène lent.
Climate change is a slow phenomenon.
Scientific context.
Ils avancent à pas lents vers la solution.
They are moving with slow steps toward the solution.
Metaphorical use.
La lenteur de la justice est critiquée.
The slowness of justice is criticized.
Noun form (lenteur).
Un esprit lent mais profond.
A slow but deep mind.
Nuanced character description.
La combustion lente du bois.
The slow combustion of wood.
Technical description.
C'est un travail de longue haleine et lent.
It is a long-term and slow job.
Complex adjective phrase.
Il a un débit de parole lent.
He has a slow speaking rate.
Formal description.
Une lente dégradation des infrastructures.
A slow degradation of infrastructure.
Abstract process.
Le rythme lent de la province.
The slow rhythm of the countryside.
Sociocultural description.
Elle a eu une réaction lente face au danger.
She had a slow reaction to the danger.
Specific event analysis.
L'auteur utilise un rythme lent pour instaurer le suspense.
The author uses a slow rhythm to establish suspense.
Literary analysis.
Une lente et inexorable ascension.
A slow and inexorable ascent.
Elevated style.
La lente sédimentation des idées.
The slow sedimentation of ideas.
Metaphorical/Academic.
Le film se complaît dans une lenteur contemplative.
The film indulges in a contemplative slowness.
Art criticism.
Un lent déclin de l'empire.
A slow decline of the empire.
Historical context.
Le métabolisme lent favorise la prise de poids.
Slow metabolism promotes weight gain.
Medical context.
Il y a une lente érosion des libertés civiles.
There is a slow erosion of civil liberties.
Political discourse.
La symphonie commence par un mouvement lent.
The symphony begins with a slow movement.
Musicology.
L'ontologie du devenir suppose un processus lent.
The ontology of becoming assumes a slow process.
Philosophical register.
Une lente maturation des fûts de chêne.
A slow maturation of the oak barrels.
Enology context.
Le lent cheminement de la pensée vers l'absolu.
The slow progression of thought toward the absolute.
Highly abstract.
La cinétique de cette réaction est particulièrement lente.
The kinetics of this reaction are particularly slow.
Scientific precision.
Sous l'effet d'un lent refroidissement séculaire.
Under the effect of a slow secular cooling.
Geological/Formal.
Le style est marqué par des périodes lentes et amples.
The style is marked by slow and ample periods.
Linguistic analysis.
Une lente dérive des continents.
A slow drift of the continents.
Technical term.
Le lent poison de l'indifférence.
The slow poison of indifference.
Poetic metaphor.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
Se confunde a menudo con
Modismos y expresiones
Fácil de confundir
Patrones de oraciones
Familia de palabras
Relacionado
Cómo usarlo
Can be neutral or pejorative depending on tone.
Very high frequency word.
- Using 'lent' as an adverb (e.g., *Il court lent* instead of *Il court lentement*).
- Forgetting the feminine 'e' (e.g., *La tortue est lent* instead of *La tortue est lente*).
- Pronouncing the 't' in the masculine form.
- Confusing 'lent' with 'long' when describing duration.
- Using 'lents' for feminine plural nouns (should be 'lentes').
Consejos
Agreement is Key
Always match 'lent' with the noun's gender. Masculine is 'lent', feminine is 'lente'. This is the most common error for beginners. Practice by labeling objects in your house.
Silent Letters
Remember the 't' is silent in 'lent'. Don't let the spelling trick you into pronouncing it. The nasal sound is the most important part. Listen to native speakers to get the rhythm right.
Lent vs. Long
Use 'lent' for speed and 'long' for length or time. A 'long' road is many kilometers. A 'lent' car takes a long time to travel. Don't swap them in conversation.
Expand with Synonyms
Once you know 'lent', try using 'mou' for sluggishness. It adds variety to your descriptions. 'Posé' is a great alternative for a 'calm' slow pace. Learning synonyms helps you express nuances.
Adverb Formation
To make the adverb, take the feminine 'lente' and add '-ment'. This gives you 'lentement'. This rule works for many French adjectives. It's a great way to double your vocabulary.
Context Clues
If you hear 'lente', look for a feminine noun nearby. The 't' sound is a huge clue for gender. It helps you understand the structure of the sentence. Pay attention to the words following 'lente'.
Slow Living
The French often value taking time (prendre son temps). Being 'lent' isn't always a bad thing in France. It can imply savoring a moment or a meal. Embrace the 'lent' pace of a French lunch.
Common Comparisons
Use 'lent comme un escargot' (slow as a snail). It's a classic comparison that everyone understands. It makes your French sound more natural and idiomatic. Use it when joking with friends.
Flashcards
Create flashcards with 'lent' on one side and a snail on the other. Include the feminine form 'lente' as well. Testing yourself regularly is the best way to memorize. Use apps like Anki or Quizlet.
Avoid 'Il est lentement'
Never use the adverb after 'être' to describe a person. Always use the adjective 'lent'. 'Il est lent' is correct; 'Il est lentement' is a major mistake. Adverbs modify verbs, not subjects.
Memorízalo
Origen de la palabra
Latin 'lentus'
Contexto cultural
Eating too fast is often seen as impolite; a 'lent' meal is a sign of good company.
The 'sieste' in the south reflects a slower daily rhythm.
Slow cooking (mijotage) is prized in French cuisine.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Inicios de conversación
"Est-ce que tu trouves que le service est lent ici ?"
"Préfères-tu les films rapides ou les films lents ?"
"Pourquoi ton ordinateur est-il si lent ?"
"Est-ce que tu es une personne lente le matin ?"
"Quel est l'animal le plus lent selon toi ?"
Temas para diario
Décris une journée où tout était lent.
Est-ce que la lenteur est une bonne ou une mauvaise chose ?
Pourquoi la technologie nous rend-elle impatients face à ce qui est lent ?
Décris ton trajet le plus lent.
Écris sur l'importance de prendre un rythme lent parfois.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, the 't' is silent in the masculine singular form 'lent'. However, in the feminine form 'lente', the 't' is clearly pronounced. This is a common pattern in French adjectives. It helps distinguish gender in spoken language. Always remember: 'lent' (nasal) vs 'lente' (nasal + t).
'Lent' is an adjective used to describe a noun, like 'un train lent'. 'Lentement' is an adverb used to describe an action or verb, like 'il marche lentement'. You cannot say 'il marche lent'. Adjectives modify things, while adverbs modify actions. This is a fundamental rule in French grammar.
Yes, 'lent' can describe a person's physical speed or their mental processing. For example, 'il est lent à courir' or 'il est lent à comprendre'. Be careful, as calling someone 'lent' can sometimes be perceived as an insult. It implies they are not quick-witted. Context and tone are very important here.
In most cases, yes, 'lent' follows the noun it modifies. For example, 'un animal lent'. However, in literary or poetic contexts, it can be placed before the noun for emphasis. 'Un lent voyage' sounds more evocative than 'un voyage lent'. For beginners, sticking to the position after the noun is recommended.
To make 'lent' plural, you simply add an 's'. For masculine plural, it becomes 'lents'. For feminine plural, you take the feminine form 'lente' and add an 's' to get 'lentes'. The pronunciation of 'lents' is the same as 'lent'. The 's' is silent in both plural forms unless followed by a vowel.
The most common opposite of 'lent' is 'rapide' (fast). You can also use 'vif' (quick/lively) or 'prompt' (prompt/quick). In a more formal or literary context, 'véloce' is an antonym. Choosing the right opposite depends on what you are describing. For a car, 'rapide' is best; for a reaction, 'vif' is better.
Yes, 'lent' is one of the most common adjectives in the French language. It is introduced at the A1 level of the CEFR. You will use it daily to describe everything from traffic to internet speeds. It is a core vocabulary word that every learner must master. Its frequency makes it essential for basic communication.
Yes, 'lent' is frequently used to describe the pacing of a film or book. If a movie has a lot of long scenes and little action, you would say 'le film est lent'. This can be a criticism or a neutral description of the style. Many art-house films are intentionally 'lents'. It describes the narrative flow.
The noun form of 'lent' is 'la lenteur'. It is a feminine noun. You use it to talk about the concept of slowness. For example, 'La lenteur de l'administration est frustrante'. It is a useful word for making more abstract or formal statements. It follows the common '-eur' suffix for nouns derived from adjectives.
Yes, 'lent' appears in several common idioms. 'Lent à la détente' is a very popular one, meaning someone is slow to react or understand a joke. Another is 'à pas lents', which means walking slowly and deliberately. These idioms add flavor to your French and help you sound more like a native speaker.
Ponte a prueba 180 preguntas
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Mastering 'lent' involves not just knowing the word for 'slow', but consistently applying gender agreement and distinguishing it from the adverb 'lentement'. It is essential for describing the pace of life and everyday frustrations.
- Lent means 'slow' in French and is a basic adjective for speed.
- It must agree in gender and number: lent, lente, lents, lentes.
- It usually follows the noun it modifies in a sentence.
- Commonly used for transport, internet speed, and personal temperament.
Agreement is Key
Always match 'lent' with the noun's gender. Masculine is 'lent', feminine is 'lente'. This is the most common error for beginners. Practice by labeling objects in your house.
Silent Letters
Remember the 't' is silent in 'lent'. Don't let the spelling trick you into pronouncing it. The nasal sound is the most important part. Listen to native speakers to get the rhythm right.
Lent vs. Long
Use 'lent' for speed and 'long' for length or time. A 'long' road is many kilometers. A 'lent' car takes a long time to travel. Don't swap them in conversation.
Expand with Synonyms
Once you know 'lent', try using 'mou' for sluggishness. It adds variety to your descriptions. 'Posé' is a great alternative for a 'calm' slow pace. Learning synonyms helps you express nuances.
Ejemplo
L'escargot est un animal lent.
Contenido relacionado
Aprende en contexto
Esta palabra en otros idiomas
Frases relacionadas
Más palabras de general
à cause de
A2Una locución prepositiva que se utiliza para introducir la causa de un hecho, generalmente negativo o neutro. Equivale a 'a causa de' o 'por culpa de'.
à côté
A2Al lado de; junto a.
à côté de
A2Next to, beside.
À droite
A2A la derecha o en el lado derecho. Por ejemplo: 'Gire a la derecha en la esquina'.
À gauche
A2To the left; on the left side.
à la
A2La combinación de la preposición 'à' y el artículo femenino 'la', que significa 'a la' o 'en la'.
à laquelle
B2To which; at which (feminine singular).
à mesure que
B2A medida que; conforme.
abrégé
B1An abstract, summary, or abridgment.
absence
A2The state of being away from a place or person.
