A1 Expression Formel

천천히 말해 주십시오.

1748

Please speak slowly.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this polite phrase when you need a native speaker to slow down their speech so you can understand them better.

  • Means: Please speak slowly.
  • Used in: Language classes, asking for directions, or talking to strangers.
  • Don't confuse: '천천히' (slowly) with '천천하다' (which is not a word).
Confused face + Hand gesture = Polite request for clarity

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means 'Please speak slowly.' You use it when you don't understand Korean because it is too fast.
This is a polite request used in daily life. It combines the adverb 'slowly' with a formal verb ending to show respect to the person you are talking to.
This expression is essential for language learners. It utilizes the '-아/어 주십시오' honorific structure, which is the standard way to request a favor in formal Korean contexts, ensuring you don't sound rude.
The phrase functions as a communicative strategy to manage the flow of discourse. By employing the formal register, the learner establishes a respectful distance while signaling a need for cognitive processing time.
This phrase is a pragmatic tool that balances the speaker's need for comprehension with the listener's social status. It demonstrates an awareness of the Korean honorific system, specifically the imperative-formal '-십시오' suffix, which is crucial for maintaining social harmony.
From a sociolinguistic perspective, this phrase exemplifies the 'politeness strategy' of minimizing imposition. By framing the request as a favor ('주십시오'), the speaker mitigates the potential face-threatening act of criticizing the listener's speaking speed, thus preserving the social equilibrium.

Signification

A polite request for someone to speak at a slower pace.

🌍

Contexte culturel

Politeness is paramount. Always use formal endings with strangers.

💡

Smile

Always smile when asking. It makes you look friendly, not frustrated.

Signification

A polite request for someone to speak at a slower pace.

💡

Smile

Always smile when asking. It makes you look friendly, not frustrated.

Teste-toi

Fill in the missing word.

천천히 ____ 주십시오.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 말해

The verb for 'to speak' is '말하다'.

🎉 Score : /1

Questions fréquentes

1 questions

No, it is very polite.

Expressions liées

🔗

다시 말해 주십시오

similar

Please say it again.

Où l'utiliser

🗺️

Asking for directions

Learner: 실례합니다. 천천히 말해 주십시오.

Local: 네, 알겠습니다.

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Ten-Ten' (천천) turtle moving slowly.

Visual Association

Imagine a turtle wearing a suit (formal) speaking very slowly to a rabbit.

Rhyme

Slowly, slowly, 천천히, please speak clearly for me.

Story

I was in Seoul. A man talked fast. I said '천천히 말해 주십시오.' He smiled and slowed down. We became friends.

Word Web

천천히말하다주십시오부탁합니다이해하다한국어

Défi

Say it 10 times in front of a mirror with a polite bow.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Hable más despacio, por favor.

Korean uses honorific suffixes while Spanish uses verb conjugation.

French high

Parlez plus lentement, s'il vous plaît.

French uses 'vous' for formal address; Korean changes the verb ending.

German high

Bitte sprechen Sie langsamer.

German uses the formal 'Sie' pronoun.

Japanese high

ゆっくり話してください (Yukkuri hanashite kudasai).

The vocabulary roots are different.

Arabic moderate

تكلم ببطء من فضلك (Takallam bi-but' min fadlak).

Arabic is gendered in its imperative form.

Chinese moderate

请慢一点说 (Qǐng màn yīdiǎn shuō).

Chinese does not have honorific verb endings like Korean.

Korean self

천천히 말해 주십시오.

None.

Portuguese high

Fale mais devagar, por favor.

Portuguese is a Romance language with different syntax.

Easily Confused

천천히 말해 주십시오. vs 천천히 하세요

Learners think it means 'speak slowly'.

It actually means 'take your time' or 'do it slowly'.

FAQ (1)

No, it is very polite.

C'tait utile ?

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