Signification
Request for slower speech.
Contexte culturel
Russians often speak quickly in service industries (train stations, post offices). Asking them to slow down is not seen as an insult, but rather as a sign that you are taking the interaction seriously. In countries like Kazakhstan or Georgia, where Russian is a lingua franca, people might have different accents. 'Говорите медленнее' helps you adjust to these regional variations. Teachers in Russia (prepodavateli) expect students to ask for clarification. Silence is often interpreted as understanding, so you must speak up if the pace is too fast. On apps like Telegram or WhatsApp, Russians use voice notes (golosovye) constantly. You can text back 'Запиши помедленнее' if a voice note is too fast to follow.
The 'Please' Rule
Never forget 'пожалуйста'. Without it, 'Говорите медленнее' sounds like a command from a boss to a subordinate.
Don't Overuse
If you ask someone to slow down three times and still don't get it, it's time to ask them to write it down or use a translator app.
Signification
Request for slower speech.
The 'Please' Rule
Never forget 'пожалуйста'. Without it, 'Говорите медленнее' sounds like a command from a boss to a subordinate.
Don't Overuse
If you ask someone to slow down three times and still don't get it, it's time to ask them to write it down or use a translator app.
Use Hand Gestures
A 'calm down' hand gesture (palms down, moving slightly) along with the phrase helps reinforce your request visually.
Teste-toi
Choose the most polite and correct way to ask a stranger to slow down.
Вы в магазине. Продавец говорит очень быстро. Что вы скажете?
This option uses the formal imperative and the polite 'пожалуйста'.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the word 'медленно'.
Пожалуйста, говорите ________ (slower).
You need the comparative adverb form to modify the verb 'говорите'.
Match the phrase to the correct level of formality.
Match: 1. Говори помедленнее. 2. Не могли бы вы говорить медленнее? 3. Говорите медленнее.
The 'по-' prefix and lack of '-те' is informal; 'Не могли бы вы' is the most formal conditional form.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
— Извините, я не понимаю. — Ой, простите! Я буду ________ медленнее.
After 'я буду' (I will), you must use the infinitive form of the verb.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesВы в магазине. Продавец говорит очень быстро. Что вы скажете?
This option uses the formal imperative and the polite 'пожалуйста'.
Пожалуйста, говорите ________ (slower).
You need the comparative adverb form to modify the verb 'говорите'.
Match: 1. Говори помедленнее. 2. Не могли бы вы говорить медленнее? 3. Говорите медленнее.
The 'по-' prefix and lack of '-те' is informal; 'Не могли бы вы' is the most formal conditional form.
— Извините, я не понимаю. — Ой, простите! Я буду ________ медленнее.
After 'я буду' (I will), you must use the infinitive form of the verb.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNo, as long as you use the 'вы' form and add 'пожалуйста'. It shows you are interested in the conversation.
The prefix 'по-' makes it sound 'a bit' slower and is generally considered more polite and natural in speech.
Only in an emergency or if you are very frustrated, but it sounds quite blunt. Better to use at least two words.
Use the informal form: 'Говори медленнее'.
Expressions liées
Повторите, пожалуйста
similarRepeat, please
Я не понимаю
builds onI don't understand
Что вы сказали?
similarWhat did you say?
Пишите, пожалуйста
specialized formWrite it down, please
