A1 Expression Neutro 1 min de leitura

遅いです

osoi desu

It's slow/late

Pratique

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use {遅い|おそい} to describe something that is behind schedule, slow in speed, or happening later than expected.

  • Means: Slow, late, or behind schedule.
  • Used in: Describing people, trains, or responses.
  • Don't confuse: {遅い|おそい} (adjective) with {遅れる|おくれる} (verb).
Clock + Snail = {遅い|おそい}

Explicação no seu nível:

This word means slow or late. You use it when something is not fast or happens after the time you expected.
It functions as an i-adjective. You can use it to describe objects, like a slow train, or abstract situations, like being late for a meeting.
Beyond physical speed, it is used to express frustration with delays in communication or processes. It is essential for navigating social expectations regarding time in Japan.
The nuance shifts based on context. While it denotes objective slowness, it often carries a subjective judgment. Understanding the distinction between the adjective and the verb {遅れる|おくれる} is crucial for natural speech.
Linguistically, it represents a temporal deviation from the norm. It is often employed in idiomatic expressions regarding missed opportunities, where the lateness implies a permanent state of failure.
It serves as a marker of temporal perception. In cognitive linguistics, it reflects the Japanese cultural emphasis on synchronization within a group, where any deviation from the expected tempo is marked as {遅い|おそい}.

Significado

To describe something as not quick or happening behind schedule.

🌍

Contexto cultural

Punctuality is a sign of respect. Being 'slow' to arrive is often seen as a failure of character. In international business, 'slow' communication can be interpreted as a lack of interest.

💡

Adjective vs Verb

Remember: {遅い|おそい} is for speed, {遅れる|おくれる} is for time.

💡

Adjective vs Verb

Remember: {遅い|おそい} is for speed, {遅れる|おくれる} is for time.

Teste-se

Select the correct usage.

The train is slow.

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: 電車が{遅い|おそい}です。

Use the adjective for describing the train's speed.

🎉 Pontuação: /1

Recursos visuais

Banco de exercicios

2 exercicios
Escolha a resposta certa Fill Blank

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa:
Select the correct usage. Choose A1

The train is slow.

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: 電車が{遅い|おそい}です。

Use the adjective for describing the train's speed.

🎉 Pontuação: /2

Perguntas frequentes

1 perguntas

Only if you mean they are slow in movement, not late for a meeting.

Frases relacionadas

🔗

{遅れる|おくれる}

specialized form

To be late

🔗

{遅刻|ちこく}

builds on

Lateness/Tardiness

Onde usar

⌚

Waiting for a friend

A: まだ？

B: ごめん、電車が{遅い|おそい}んだ。

informal
💻

Tech support

User: パソコンがとても{遅い|おそい}です。

Staff: 確認します。

neutral

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a 'Slow-y' (Oso-i) snail moving across your screen.

Associação visual

A clock with melting hands, moving very slowly.

Rhyme

The train is slow, I say 'Oso-i', I'm late for the show, oh my oh my.

Story

Kenji waited for the bus. The bus was very {遅い|おそい}. He checked his watch and sighed. It was already {遅い|おそい} at night.

In Other Languages

Similar to 'slow' in English or 'lento' in Spanish. It captures the universal frustration of waiting.

Word Web

遅れる遅刻速い時間急ぐ遅すぎる

Desafio

For one day, count how many times you encounter something 'slow' and label it {遅い|おそい}.

Review in 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days.

Pronúncia

Acentuação High-Low-Low

The pitch falls after the 'o'.

Espectro de formalidade

Formal
インターネットの接続が{遅い|おそい}です。

インターネットの接続が{遅い|おそい}です。 (Technology)

Neutro
インターネットが{遅い|おそい}です。

インターネットが{遅い|おそい}です。 (Technology)

Informal
ネット遅っ！

ネット遅っ！ (Technology)

Gíria
ネット重すぎ。

ネット重すぎ。 (Technology)

Derived from the ancient Japanese root 'oso', meaning to lag behind or be delayed.

Heian:

Curiosidade

The kanji {遅} contains the 'road' radical, emphasizing movement.

Notas culturais

Punctuality is a sign of respect. Being 'slow' to arrive is often seen as a failure of character.

“約束の時間に{遅い|おそい}のは失礼です。”

In international business, 'slow' communication can be interpreted as a lack of interest.

“返信が{遅い|おそい}と、やる気がないと思われます。”

Iniciadores de conversa

“

最近、何か{遅い|おそい}と感じたものはありますか？

Erros comuns

✗

私は遅いです。

✓

私は遅刻しました。

wrong context
Using {遅い|おそい} for a person's arrival implies they are 'slow' in personality/speed, not that they missed the time.

L1 Interference

0 1

In Other Languages

Spanish Very Similar

Lento

Japanese has a specific verb for 'to be late' that is distinct from the adjective 'slow'.

French Very Similar

Lent

French uses a prepositional phrase for lateness, while Japanese uses a specific verb.

German Very Similar

Langsam

German has more complex adverbial structures for speed.

Japanese self

{遅い|おそい}

Adjective vs Verb.

Arabic moderate

بطيء (Bati')

Arabic separates speed and lateness into completely different roots.

Spotted in the Real World

🎬

(1988)

“バスが遅いね。”

Waiting for the bus in the rain.

Fácil de confundir

遅いです vs {遅い|おそい} vs {遅れる|おくれる}

Learners use the adjective for people.

Use {遅い|おそい} for speed, {遅れる|おくれる} for being late.

Perguntas frequentes (1)

Only if you mean they are slow in movement, not late for a meeting.

usage contexts

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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