천천히 말해주세요.
cheoncheonhi malhaejuseyo.
Please speak slowly.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite and essential request used to ask someone to reduce their speaking speed for better understanding.
- Means: 'Please speak slowly' (a survival phrase for learners).
- Used in: Travel, classrooms, and when talking to fast-speaking locals.
- Don't confuse: With '조용히 하세요' which means 'Please be quiet'.
Explanation at your level:
意思
Requesting someone to reduce their speaking speed.
文化背景
The 'Pali-pali' culture means speed is often prioritized. Asking someone to slow down is a common and accepted part of the learning process for foreigners. In Korean companies, hierarchy dictates speech. If a boss speaks too fast, a subordinate might use '말씀' and a bowing gesture to be extra polite. Korean teachers (Seonsaengnim) are highly respected. Using the '-세요' ending is mandatory when asking them to slow down. In KakaoTalk, people often use abbreviations. You might see '천천히' written as 'ㅊㅊㅎ' in very casual settings, though rare.
Use your hands
Pair the phrase with a 'slow down' hand gesture (palms facing down, moving up and down) to be understood even better.
Don't forget '요'
Always include '요' at the end unless you are 100% sure you are in a casual 'Banmal' situation.
意思
Requesting someone to reduce their speaking speed.
Use your hands
Pair the phrase with a 'slow down' hand gesture (palms facing down, moving up and down) to be understood even better.
Don't forget '요'
Always include '요' at the end unless you are 100% sure you are in a casual 'Banmal' situation.
Smile while saying it
A smile makes the request sound like a friendly plea for help rather than a criticism of their speech speed.
自我测试
Fill in the missing adverb to ask the person to speak slowly.
죄송합니다. (______) 말해주세요.
'천천히' means slowly. '빨리' is fast, '크게' is loudly, and '많이' is a lot.
Which of these is the most polite way to ask a teacher to slow down?
선생님, ...
'말씀' is the honorific form of '말', making it the most respectful choice for a teacher.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 한국말이 너무 빨라요? B: 네, (_________________).
If the speech is too fast (너무 빨라요), the logical request is to speak slowly.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are talking to a close friend who is speaking too fast.
The '-줘' ending is the informal (Banmal) version used with close friends.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
常见问题
10 个问题No, it's actually considered polite because it shows you are trying hard to understand them.
Yes, but use the honorific version: '천천히 말씀해 주세요'.
You can say '조금만 더 천천히 말해주세요' (Please speak just a little MORE slowly).
'천천히' is the natural choice for speech and actions; '느리게' is more about physical velocity.
Use '천천히 말씀해 주시겠습니까?'
If you are the same age and have agreed to speak casually, yes!
It turns the verb into a request for a favor, literally 'Give me the act of speaking slowly'.
In an emergency or very casual setting, yes, but it sounds like a command 'Slowly!'
No, it's specifically for spoken communication.
Confusing it with '조용히 하세요' (Be quiet).
相关表达
다시 말해주세요
similarPlease say it again.
크게 말해주세요
similarPlease speak loudly.
조금만 천천히
specialized formJust a little slowly.
써 주세요
builds onPlease write it down.
이해 못 했어요
contrastI didn't understand.
在哪里用
At the Airport
Staff: 여권이랑 입국 신고서 보여주세요.
Learner: 죄송합니다. 천천히 말해주세요.
In a Taxi
Driver: 어디로 갈까요? 고속도로로 갈까요?
Learner: 아, 천천히 말해주세요. 홍대입구역 가주세요.
Ordering Coffee
Barista: 드시고 가세요? 적립카드 있으세요?
Learner: 천천히 말해주세요. 커피 한 잔 주세요.
Language Exchange
Partner: 어제 진짜 재미있는 일이 있었는데 들어봐!
Learner: 잠깐만! 천천히 말해줘. 못 알아들었어.
On the Phone
Caller: 안녕하세요, 택배 기사입니다. 지금 계신가요?
Learner: 잘 안 들려요. 천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Asking Directions
Stranger: 저기서 우회전해서 쭉 가다가 편의점에서 왼쪽으로...
Learner: 죄송해요. 천천히 말해주세요.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'CHugging' train going 'CH-CH' (Cheon-Cheon) slowly up a hill.
Visual Association
Imagine a fast-moving sports car (the speaker) hitting a giant yellow 'SLOW' sign (the word 천천히) and turning into a calm turtle.
Rhyme
Don't be in a hurry, say Cheon-cheon-hi!
Story
You are in a busy Seoul market. The ajumma is shouting prices like a rapper. You hold up your hand like a traffic cop and say 'Cheon-cheon-hi!' She smiles, takes a breath, and speaks like a gentle grandmother.
Word Web
挑战
Go to a YouTube video of a Korean news broadcast. Try to say '천천히 말해주세요' every time you lose track of the words.
In Other Languages
Hable más despacio, por favor.
Korean uses the 'give' auxiliary verb (-주세요) to imply a favor.
Parlez plus lentement, s'il vous plaît.
French 's'il vous plaît' is a conditional phrase, while Korean '-주세요' is an auxiliary verb.
Sprechen Sie bitte langsamer.
German grammar requires the pronoun 'Sie' (formal you), which Korean usually omits.
ゆっくり話してください
Japanese uses the 'te-form' of the verb, while Korean uses the 'ah/eo' connective.
تحدث ببطء من فضلك
Arabic verbs change significantly based on the gender of the person you are asking.
请说慢一点
Chinese word order is Subject-Verb-Adverb, while Korean is Adverb-Verb.
Fale mais devagar, por favor.
Portuguese often uses 'devagar' which can also mean 'quietly' or 'calmly' in some contexts.
Please speak slowly.
English 'please' is an adverb/interjection, while Korean '-주세요' is a conjugated verb ending.
Easily Confused
Both start with a similar rhythm and are requests.
Remember 'Cheon' (천) is for 'Slow' and 'Jo' (조) is for 'Quiet'.
Missing the '말' (speak) part.
'천천히 하세요' means 'Take your time' or 'Do it slowly' (like eating or working).
常见问题 (10)
No, it's actually considered polite because it shows you are trying hard to understand them.
Yes, but use the honorific version: '천천히 말씀해 주세요'.
You can say '조금만 더 천천히 말해주세요' (Please speak just a little MORE slowly).
'천천히' is the natural choice for speech and actions; '느리게' is more about physical velocity.
Use '천천히 말씀해 주시겠습니까?'
If you are the same age and have agreed to speak casually, yes!
It turns the verb into a request for a favor, literally 'Give me the act of speaking slowly'.
In an emergency or very casual setting, yes, but it sounds like a command 'Slowly!'
No, it's specifically for spoken communication.
Confusing it with '조용히 하세요' (Be quiet).
