Translation guide
Describes something moving or progressing extremely slowly. In Japanese, this is often expressed with idiomatic phrases or adverbs rather than a single noun.
To say that something is moving or happening at an extremely slow pace, like a snail.
Literally 'ox's pace', this is a common idiomatic phrase for very slow progress, similar to 'snail's pace'.
彼の仕事は牛の歩みだ。
His work is at a snail's pace.
A more literal translation: 'speed like a snail'. Understandable but less idiomatic than 牛の歩み.
渋滞で車がカタツムリのような速さで進んでいる。
The cars are moving at a snail's pace due to the traffic jam.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'slowly' or 'sluggishly', often used for movement.
彼はのろのろと歩いている。
He is walking at a snail's pace.
A general adverb for 'slowly'. It can imply a snail's pace in context, but is less emphatic than のろのろ.
亀がゆっくり動いている。
The turtle is moving at a snail's pace.
To describe that a task, project, or process is advancing very slowly.
A set phrase meaning 'making little progress' or 'proceeding at a snail's pace'. Often used in formal or written contexts.
交渉は遅々として進まない。
The negotiations are proceeding at a snail's pace.
The literal translation 'カタツムリのペース' is not natural Japanese. Use idiomatic phrases like 牛の歩み or adverbs like のろのろ instead.
列がのろのろと進んでいる。
The line is moving at a snail's pace.
プロジェクトは遅々として進んでいない。
The project is going at a snail's pace.
Literally 'ox-walk tactics', referring to a deliberate slowdown or filibuster, especially in political contexts. It implies an intentional snail's pace.
野党は牛歩戦術で法案の採決を遅らせた。
The opposition used a snail's pace tactic to delay the vote on the bill.