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.
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.
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.