Significado
Asking for clearer speech.
Contexto cultural
Danes are very direct. Asking someone to speak slower is not seen as an insult to their speaking ability, but as a sign that you are actively trying to engage. In Greenland, where Danish is a second language for many, speaking slowly and clearly is a common sign of respect and mutual understanding. Faroese people often speak Danish with a very distinct, clear accent. You might find you need this phrase less there than in Copenhagen! Among expats, this phrase is often joked about as the 'first and most important' thing you learn, alongside 'tak' and 'øl'.
Use your hands
Pair the phrase with a 'slow down' hand gesture (palms down, moving slightly) to make your meaning clear instantly.
Don't just say 'Hvad?'
Saying 'Hvad?' (What?) repeatedly can sound aggressive. 'Kan du sige det langsommere?' is much friendlier.
Significado
Asking for clearer speech.
Use your hands
Pair the phrase with a 'slow down' hand gesture (palms down, moving slightly) to make your meaning clear instantly.
Don't just say 'Hvad?'
Saying 'Hvad?' (What?) repeatedly can sound aggressive. 'Kan du sige det langsommere?' is much friendlier.
The English Switch
If they switch to English, say: 'Jeg vil gerne øve mit dansk, kan vi tale dansk langsomt?' (I want to practice my Danish, can we speak Danish slowly?)
Teste-se
Fill in the missing word to ask someone to slow down.
Kan du ____ det langsommere?
We use 'sige' (say) because the object 'det' (it) is present.
Which of these is the most natural way to ask a stranger to slow down?
Choose the best option:
This follows the correct V-S-V-O order and uses the comparative 'langsommere'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: [Fast Danish sentence] B: Undskyld, ___ ___ ___ ___ langsommere?
This is the standard polite request.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at the train station and the announcement is too fast.
You need the speaker to slow down so you can understand the announcement.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosKan du ____ det langsommere?
We use 'sige' (say) because the object 'det' (it) is present.
Choose the best option:
This follows the correct V-S-V-O order and uses the comparative 'langsommere'.
A: [Fast Danish sentence] B: Undskyld, ___ ___ ___ ___ langsommere?
This is the standard polite request.
You are at the train station and the announcement is too fast.
You need the speaker to slow down so you can understand the announcement.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
14 perguntasNo, in Denmark it is considered practical and helpful. It shows you are listening.
Almost never. 'Du' is the standard for everyone except the Queen.
Ask 'Hvad betyder [word]?' or ask them to write it down ('Kan du skrive det ned?').
Danish underwent a 'consonant weakening' where many 'g's and 'd's became silent or soft.
Yes, that is a shorter, slightly more informal but still polite way to say it.
No, for writing you would ask them to write 'tydeligere' (more clearly).
You say 'Kan du tale langsommere?'. Note that 'tale' doesn't need 'det'.
In this sentence, it functions as an adverb describing the verb 'sige'.
The opposite is 'hurtigere' (faster).
Yes, it is perfectly professional.
Danish has many vowel sounds and reduced consonants, which makes it sound very fluid and fast to learners.
You can say 'Lidt langsommere?' with a rising intonation.
Yes, the words are very similar (Norwegian: 'Kan du si det saktere?', Swedish: 'Kan du säga det långsammare?').
The most polite version is 'Vil du være sød at sige det lidt langsommere?'.
Frases relacionadas
Hvad sagde du?
similarWhat did you say?
Gentag venligst
formalPlease repeat
Jeg forstår ikke
builds onI don't understand
Tale langsomt
specialized formTo speak slowly
