Translation guide
How to express the idea of slowing down in Japanese, covering physical speed, pace of work, economic slowdown, and metaphorical slowing.
To decrease the speed of a vehicle, person, or moving object.
Standard verb for decelerating a vehicle or machine. Often used in formal or technical contexts.
The car slowed down before the curve.
Common phrase meaning 'to reduce speed'. Natural in everyday speech.
It's dangerous here, so slow down.
Similar to スピードを落とす but slightly more formal. Used in driving instructions.
Please slow down.
Intransitive, meaning 'to become slow'. Describes the state of slowing down naturally.
The bicycle slowed down on the slope.
To do something more slowly, take one's time, or reduce the tempo of an action.
Literally 'drop the pace'. Used for work, exercise, or any ongoing activity.
I'm tired, so let's slow down the pace.
Means 'to take it easy' or 'to do something slowly'. Very common in daily conversation.
I'm going to take it easy at home today.
Implies relaxing and doing things at a leisurely pace, without hurry.
I want to spend my day off relaxing and taking it slow.
Loanword from English, used in business or lifestyle contexts to mean intentionally slowing down.
I'm trying to slow down at work.
A decrease in economic growth, market activity, or business operations.
A gradual decrease in ability, energy, or function, often due to age.
Verb meaning 'to decline' or 'to weaken', often used for physical or mental faculties.
As you get older, your physical strength declines.
Means 'to become dull' or 'to slow down', used for senses, movements, or wits.
Intransitive phrase meaning 'speed drops', can be used metaphorically for aging or performance.
Lately, my work speed has been slowing down.
The English phrase 'slow down' can be used in many contexts, but Japanese often uses specific verbs or phrases depending on what is slowing down. Avoid directly translating 'slow' as 遅い (おそい) for most of these meanings.
to become late/slow (not always 'slow down')
Refers to a recession or economic downturn, a more severe slowdown.
Signs of an economic slowdown are visible.
市場のスローダウンが続いている。
The market slowdown continues.
運動不足で動きが鈍った。
My movements have slowed down due to lack of exercise.