천천히

When you hear 천천히, think of a gentle river or a slow-moving turtle. It is the go-to word in Korean when you want to tell someone to take it easy or when you are describing a process that isn't rushed.

It is derived from the adjective 천천하다, which describes something being slow. In daily life, you will use this constantly—whether you are asking someone to speak more slowly so you can understand, or reminding yourself to breathe during a busy day.

Using 천천히 shows consideration. It implies that the action is being done with care and attention, rather than just being fast or sloppy. It is a very friendly and helpful word to have in your vocabulary toolkit.

The word 천천히 is rooted in the Hanja characters 遷 (to move/shift) and 遷 (repetition), though in modern Korean, it is treated as a native-derived adverbial form.

Historically, the reduplication of the root 천 emphasizes the idea of a repeated, steady movement. By repeating the syllable, the language creates a sense of rhythm—like the steady beat of a drum or the consistent steps of a traveler.

It shares linguistic DNA with other reduplicated adverbs in Korean that describe states of being or movement. Over centuries, it has evolved from a descriptive term for physical movement to a versatile adverb used for everything from speech patterns to emotional states.

You will most commonly pair 천천히 with verbs of movement or communication. For example, 천천히 말해주세요 (Please speak slowly) is a phrase every learner should memorize.

It is perfectly acceptable in both casual and formal settings. In business, you might say 천천히 검토하겠습니다 (I will review it slowly/carefully), which sounds professional and thorough rather than just 'slow'.

The register is neutral. It doesn't sound overly academic, nor does it sound slangy. It is a safe, polite, and effective word to use in any situation where you need to manage the pace of an interaction.

1. 천천히 하세요: Take your time. Used to relieve pressure on someone.

2. 천천히 가다: To go slow. Can be literal (driving) or figurative (taking a relationship slow).

3. 천천히 먹어: Eat slowly. A common reminder to children or friends enjoying a meal.

4. 천천히 생각해보자: Let's think about it slowly. Used when you need time to make a decision.

5. 천천히 준비해: Prepare slowly. Take your time getting ready.

The pronunciation is straightforward: cheon-cheon-hi. The 'h' sound is soft, and the double 'cheon' creates a nice rhythmic flow.

Grammatically, it modifies verbs. You place it before the verb you are describing. For example: 천천히 걷다 (walk slowly).

It does not have plural forms or complex conjugations because it is an adverb. It remains 천천히 regardless of the tense of the verb it modifies, making it very easy to integrate into your sentences.