Translation guide
The English adverb 'slowly' describes doing something at a low speed, taking a long time, or gradually over time. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is ゆっくり, but other expressions are used depending on whether you mean physical slowness, gradual change, or a relaxed pace. Direct translation with 遅く is often unnatural.
Please speak slowly.
I'm slowly getting better.
Describing the manner of moving, walking, driving, speaking, etc., at a slow pace.
The most common and natural way to say 'slowly' for physical actions. It implies a relaxed, unhurried pace. Can also mean 'take your time' or 'at leisure'.
Please walk slowly.
Could you speak more slowly?
A slightly more formal or literary version of ゆっくり, often used in written descriptions or when emphasizing the gradual nature of an action.
The ship slowly left the harbor.
An onomatopoeic word meaning 'slowly' in a sluggish, dawdling, or heavy manner. Often has a negative nuance of being frustratingly slow.
Describing a slow change, development, or process that happens little by little.
The standard word for 'gradually' or 'little by little'. Used for changes over time, such as improvement, increase, or fading.
The pain slowly went away.
I'm slowly getting used to it.
A more casual and conversational alternative to 徐々に. Very common in everyday speech.
Literally 'little by little', emphasizing small increments. Often used when progress is made in small steps.
Can also be used for gradual change, especially when the focus is on taking time rather than the incremental nature.
Encouraging someone not to rush, or describing a relaxed pace.
A common phrase meaning 'Take your time' or 'No rush'. Used to reassure someone they don't need to hurry.
You can reply slowly (take your time).
Literally 'You don't have to hurry'. A direct way to tell someone to take their time.
You don't have to hurry. Please do it slowly.
Means 'leisurely' or 'at a relaxed pace'. Often used for enjoying free time without rushing.
The word 遅く (おそく) means 'late' (as in behind schedule), not 'slowly' in the sense of speed. Saying 遅く歩く sounds unnatural and means 'to walk late'. Use ゆっくり for physical slowness.
I walked late. (unnatural for 'slowly')
ゆっくり is for physical speed or taking time. 徐々に is for gradual change over time (more formal/written). だんだん is the casual spoken version of 徐々に. 少しずつ emphasizes small increments.
walk slowly
slowly become warmer (gradually)
I'm slowly starting to understand
渋滞で車がのろのろ進んでいる。
The cars are moving slowly because of the traffic jam.
It's slowly getting dark.
少しずつ日本語が上手になっている。
My Japanese is slowly improving.
ゆっくり回復しています。
I'm slowly recovering.
休日はのんびり過ごしたい。
I want to spend my day off slowly (relaxing).