Translation guide
A reduction in speed, pace, or activity. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various nouns, verbs, and set phrases depending on whether the slowdown is intentional, natural, economic, or metaphorical.
To describe a decrease in speed or pace in general contexts, such as work, movement, or progress.
Noun or suru-verb meaning 'deceleration' or 'slowing down'. Used for vehicles, machines, or abstract processes.
The economic slowdown is a concern.
The car slowed down before the curve.
Loanword from English, used as a noun or suru-verb. Common in business, technology, and sports contexts.
A slowdown in work occurred.
Wasei-eigo meaning 'pace down'. Used for slowing down in sports, work, or life rhythm.
To plan a slowdown in work pace.
Noun meaning 'dulling' or 'slowing down', often used for economic trends or growth rates.
The slowdown in economic growth is a problem.
Means 'stagnation' or 'standstill', implying a more severe slowdown or halt. Used for economies, negotiations, or personal progress.
Negotiations are at a standstill.
To describe a deliberate reduction in work speed as a form of protest or strategy.
Loanword from French 'sabotage', often used for intentional slowdowns or work stoppages in labor disputes.
The labor union carried out a slowdown.
Literally 'negligent work', a formal term for a work slowdown or go-slow strike.
To express the act of making something slower or becoming slower.
Literally 'to drop speed'. Common for vehicles or physical movement.
Please slow down here.
To ease off the speed. Used for driving or running.
I slowed down at the curve.
To drop the pace. Used in sports, work, or life rhythm.
I was tired, so I slowed down my pace.
Transitive verb meaning 'to delay' or 'to slow down' a process or schedule.
減速 is the standard Japanese term for deceleration in physical or abstract senses. スローダウン is a direct loanword often used in business or tech contexts. ペースダウン is a wasei-eigo phrase more common in casual speech about personal pace.
Directly translating 'Slow down!' as 「遅くしろ！」 is unnatural and rude. Use 「速度を落として」 or 「ゆっくり走って」 for driving, or 「落ち着いて」 for speaking pace.
A slowdown tactic was adopted.
Work-to-rule: strictly following all regulations to cause a slowdown. Specific to labor disputes.
Work slowed down due to a work-to-rule protest.
計画を遅らせる要因。
Factors that slow down the plan.