Signification
Asking someone to reduce their speaking speed.
Contexte culturel
Hanoians value indirectness and extreme politeness. Using 'Xin' before 'Hãy' is very common here. Saigonese speech is faster and often drops consonants. You will use this phrase more often here than in the North. Students rarely interrupt teachers. If you use this, do it during a pause and use very respectful pronouns. This is often the first 'real' phrase learners use to survive in a local market.
The Hand Gesture
Pair the phrase with a 'pushing down' motion with your palm to visually signal 'slow down'.
Tone Accuracy
If you get the tone of 'Chậm' wrong, it might sound like 'Chấm' (dot) or 'Châm' (sting). Focus on the low, heavy tone.
Signification
Asking someone to reduce their speaking speed.
The Hand Gesture
Pair the phrase with a 'pushing down' motion with your palm to visually signal 'slow down'.
Tone Accuracy
If you get the tone of 'Chậm' wrong, it might sound like 'Chấm' (dot) or 'Châm' (sting). Focus on the low, heavy tone.
Don't be shy
Vietnamese people expect foreigners to struggle with speed. Asking them to slow down is seen as a sign of dedication, not stupidity.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to make the request polite.
___ nói chậm lại được không?
'Hãy' is the correct imperative particle for a polite request.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask a teacher to slow down?
Choose the best option:
This includes the respectful address 'Thưa cô' and the polite ending 'ạ'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tôi nói có nhanh quá không? B: Có, bạn ___ ___ ___ ___.
The context asks if they are speaking too fast, so the answer should be to slow down.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are listening to a fast news report and want to practice.
News reports are notoriously fast, requiring this phrase for learners.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Speed vs Volume Requests
Banque d exercices
4 exercices___ nói chậm lại được không?
'Hãy' is the correct imperative particle for a polite request.
Choose the best option:
This includes the respectful address 'Thưa cô' and the polite ending 'ạ'.
A: Tôi nói có nhanh quá không? B: Có, bạn ___ ___ ___ ___.
The context asks if they are speaking too fast, so the answer should be to slow down.
You are listening to a fast news report and want to practice.
News reports are notoriously fast, requiring this phrase for learners.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, but it makes it a polite request rather than a blunt command. For beginners, it's safer to use it.
Yes, but 'Nói chậm lại' is more common when you want someone to change their current speed.
Try: 'Xin lỗi, tôi vẫn chưa hiểu. Làm ơn nói thật chậm.' (Sorry, I still don't understand. Please speak REALLY slow.)
Not at all, as long as your tone of voice is friendly and you use appropriate pronouns like 'bạn', 'anh', or 'chị'.
It's a corrective particle. It means 'back to a state of' or 'again' in a way that fixes a problem.
Yes, if you are on a voice call or if someone is sending too many fast voice notes.
Use 'Đi chậm lại' instead of 'Nói chậm lại'.
Often 'Nói từ từ thôi' or 'Nói chậm chậm thôi'.
It's 'Hãy' (with a tilde). 'Hay' means 'or' or 'interesting'.
Yes, but add 'Dạ' at the beginning and 'ạ' at the end for respect.
Expressions liées
Nói to lên
similarSpeak louder
Nhắc lại
builds onRepeat
Từ từ thôi
synonymSlowly/Gradually
Nói nhanh lên
contrastSpeak faster
Dừng lại
similarStop
