Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'slowly'

English Word: slowly

Key Russian Translations:

• медленно [mʲɪdˈlʲen.nə] - [Standard, Informal/Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversation and writing, but not as frequent as basic adverbs like 'quickly').

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary, per CEFR; straightforward for beginners, as it follows basic adverbial patterns in Russian).

Pronunciation (Russian):

медленно: [mʲɪdˈlʲen.nə]

Note on медленно: The stress is on the second syllable ('lʲen'), which is a common point of difficulty for English speakers due to Russian's mobile stress patterns. Pronounce the 'м' softly, as in 'measure'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

In a slow manner (describing the speed of an action)

Translation(s) & Context:

• медленно - Used in general contexts to indicate reduced speed, applicable in both formal writing (e.g., descriptions in literature) and informal speech (e.g., daily instructions).

Usage Examples:

• Он идёт медленно по улице.

  He walks slowly down the street. (This example shows 'медленно' modifying a verb in a simple declarative sentence.)

• Пожалуйста, говорите медленно, чтобы я мог понять.

  Please speak slowly so I can understand. (Here, it demonstrates 'медленно' in a polite request, emphasizing clarity in communication.)

• Машина ехала медленно из-за пробок.

  The car was driving slowly because of the traffic. (This illustrates use in a causal context, common in narrative descriptions.)

• Дети читают медленно, но с интересом.

  The children read slowly but with interest. (Shows 'медленно' in a comparative or descriptive phrase, highlighting emotional nuance.)

• В старости люди часто двигаются медленно.

  In old age, people often move slowly. (This example places 'медленно' in a general statement about life stages, adding a reflective tone.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

медленно is an adverb in Russian and does not undergo inflection for gender, number, case, or tense. It remains unchanged in all contexts, which is typical for many Russian adverbs derived from adjectives (e.g., from the adjective 'медленный' meaning 'slow').

For comparison, if used in comparative forms, it might relate to 'медленнее' (slower), but as a direct translation of 'slowly', no inflection is needed.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • неспеша - Implies a leisurely pace, often with a connotation of relaxation or unhurriedness.
  • постепенно - More about gradual progression rather than speed, used in contexts involving processes.
• Antonyms:
  • быстро - Directly opposite, meaning 'quickly' or 'fast'.
  • скоро - Means 'soon' or 'quickly' in a temporal sense, but less direct as an antonym.

Related Phrases:

• идти медленно - To walk slowly; often used in descriptions of movement in everyday or narrative contexts.
• говорить медленно - To speak slowly; common in language learning or instructional settings, implying clarity.
• медленно, но верно - Slowly but surely; a fixed expression meaning steady progress despite delays, equivalent to the English idiom.

Usage Notes:

'медленно' directly corresponds to 'slowly' as an adverb, modifying verbs to indicate reduced speed. It is versatile across formal and informal registers, but be cautious in poetic or literary contexts where synonyms like 'неспеша' might add nuance. In Russian, adverbs like this typically follow the verb they modify, unlike English where placement can vary. When choosing between translations, use 'медленно' for literal speed descriptions and 'постепенно' for processes unfolding over time.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'медленно' with the adjective 'медленный': English learners might say 'Он медленно' when meaning 'He is slow' (incorrectly using the adverb). Correct usage: 'Он медленный' for the adjective form. Example of error: 'Я ем медленно' (correct for 'I eat slowly'), but error might be 'Я медленно' alone, which is incomplete.

• Overusing in negative contexts: Learners often forget that 'медленно' can sound negative in Russian (implying inefficiency), so pair it carefully, e.g., avoid 'Работай медленно' in professional settings without justification.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts of time and pace are influenced by historical contexts like the vast geography of Russia, where 'медленно' might evoke ideas of endurance or the 'Russian soul' (душа) in literature, as seen in works by Tolstoy. It's not inherently cultural but can tie into themes of patience in folk tales or daily life.

Related Concepts:

• скорость (speed)
• быстро (quickly)
• постепенный (gradual)