A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Speak slowly please" in Italian
Ask someone to speak more slowly in Italian with this polite and essential phrase. Perfect for understanding directions or conversations.
Parli più lentamente, per favore.
PAR-lee pyoo len-tah-MEN-teh, pehr fah-VOH-rehneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when someone is speaking too quickly for you to understand, perhaps when asking for directions or during a casual conversation. It's a polite way to ask for a moment to process what's being said.
Alternatives
- Più piano, per favore.Slightly more direct, implying 'quieter' or 'more gently' as well as slower.
- Può ripetere più lentamente?Asks them to repeat, specifically requesting a slower pace.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'lento' with 'lame'
The English word 'lame' is not related to the Italian 'lento' (slow).
Pronouncing 'lentamente' too fast
Make sure to clearly pronounce each syllable, especially the 'ten' in 'lentamente'.
A small cultural note
Italians tend to speak quite quickly, so don't be shy about using this phrase if you need to. It's understood and appreciated.
Frequently asked
How do I say speak slower in Italian?
The most common way is 'Parli più lentamente, per favore.' This directly translates to 'Speak more slowly, please.'.
Is 'Parli più lentamente, per favore' formal or informal?
It's a neutral and polite phrase suitable for most situations. You can use it with strangers and acquaintances alike.
What if they still speak too fast?
You can try 'Può ripetere più lentamente?' which means 'Can you repeat more slowly?'. Or, if you didn't catch much, 'Non ho capito bene' ('I didn't understand well') might be helpful.
