Signification
Requesting simpler speech.
Contexte culturel
In Athens, the pace of life is fast, and people often speak rapidly. Using this phrase is seen as a sign of a serious student, and locals will usually respond with a warm smile and a slower tempo. Cretans have a distinct accent and often use local idioms. They are very proud of their dialect. If you ask them to slow down, they might even explain the local words to you. Cypriot Greek has different phonetic rules and some unique vocabulary. Asking for a slower pace is especially helpful here to distinguish the 'sh' sounds and double consonants. In places like Astoria (NY) or Melbourne, older Greeks might speak a mix of Greek and English. Asking them to speak slowly in Greek helps keep the conversation in the target language.
Use your hands!
Greeks are very visual. Pair 'Μιλάτε πιο αργά' with a 'slow down' hand gesture (palms down, moving up and down) for maximum clarity.
Don't just say 'Αργά!'
Saying just the word 'Slowly!' can sound like a command and might be perceived as rude. Always use the full phrase or add 'παρακαλώ'.
Signification
Requesting simpler speech.
Use your hands!
Greeks are very visual. Pair 'Μιλάτε πιο αργά' with a 'slow down' hand gesture (palms down, moving up and down) for maximum clarity.
Don't just say 'Αργά!'
Saying just the word 'Slowly!' can sound like a command and might be perceived as rude. Always use the full phrase or add 'παρακαλώ'.
The 'Ligo' Trick
Adding 'λίγο' (a little) before 'πιο αργά' makes you sound much more like a native speaker and softens the request.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to make the request polite.
Συγγνώμη, ______ πιο αργά;
'Μιλάτε' is the polite plural/formal form needed for a stranger.
Which phrase means 'Speak a little more slowly'?
Choose the best option:
'Λίγο' means 'a little' and 'πιο αργά' means 'more slowly.'
Match the Greek phrase to its English meaning.
Match them up:
These are essential survival phrases for any learner.
Complete the dialogue.
Waiter: 'Το μενού έχει μουσακά, παστίτσιο και γεμιστά.' Learner: 'Συγγνώμη, ________;'
The waiter is listing dishes, so you need him to slow down.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Speed vs. Volume
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΣυγγνώμη, ______ πιο αργά;
'Μιλάτε' is the polite plural/formal form needed for a stranger.
Choose the best option:
'Λίγο' means 'a little' and 'πιο αργά' means 'more slowly.'
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are essential survival phrases for any learner.
Waiter: 'Το μενού έχει μουσακά, παστίτσιο και γεμιστά.' Learner: 'Συγγνώμη, ________;'
The waiter is listing dishes, so you need him to slow down.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is both! In Greek, the 2nd person plural is used to address a group OR to address one person formally. For a learner, it's the safest form to use.
Yes, in a casual setting or if you are clearly struggling, 'Πιο αργά, παρακαλώ' is perfectly fine and very common.
Don't be afraid to say it again! You can also try 'Δεν κατάλαβα, πάλι;' (I didn't understand, again?).
Greek is a syllable-timed language with many vowels, which can make it sound very rapid to English speakers. It's not you, it's the phonetics!
In this phrase, it's an adverb. The adjective is 'αργός' (slow), but we use 'αργά' to describe HOW someone is speaking.
Not quite. 'Σιγά' can mean 'slowly' in some contexts (like 'σιγά-σιγά'), but it often means 'quietly.' 'Αργά' is specifically about speed.
You would say 'Μιλάτε πιο γρήγορα;' (though you probably won't need this for a while!).
Yes, but you might use the more formal 'Θα μπορούσατε να μιλάτε πιο αργά;' (Could you speak more slowly?).
With close friends, you'd say 'Μίλα πιο αργά' (singular), but 'Μιλάτε' is never 'wrong.'
The opposite is 'γρήγορα' (fast/quickly).
Expressions liées
Μπορείτε να επαναλάβετε;
similarCan you repeat?
Πώς το λένε αυτό;
builds onHow do you say that?
Μιλάτε πιο σιγά;
contrastCan you speak more quietly?
Δεν καταλαβαίνω.
similarI don't understand.
