How to Say “Please speak slower” in Chinese
Small talk and travel
"Please speak slower" in Chinese is 请说慢一点 (qǐng shuō màn yì diǎn). 请说慢一点 (qǐng shuō màn yì diǎn, "please speak a bit slower") is the core phrase every Mandarin learner uses daily in China. Native speakers often speak at full speed even when they know you are learning; asking explicitly is essential.
Primary translation
请说慢一点
qǐng shuō màn yì diǎn
Traditional: 請說慢一點
When to use it
请说慢一点 (qǐng shuō màn yì diǎn, "please speak a bit slower") is the core phrase every Mandarin learner uses daily in China. Native speakers often speak at full speed even when they know you are learning; asking explicitly is essential. Related asks: 再说一遍 (say it one more time), 可以用英文吗 (can you use English?), 我写下来 (let me write it down). Chinese speakers are usually happy to slow down but may forget within a minute; do not hesitate to ask again.
Example sentences
请说慢一点，我在学中文。
Qǐng shuō màn yì diǎn, wǒ zài xué Zhōngwén.
Please speak slower, I am learning Chinese.
可以再说一遍吗？
Kěyǐ zài shuō yí biàn ma?
Could you say that again?
这个字怎么写？
Zhège zì zěnme xiě?
How do you write this character?
Related phrases
Learn the words behind the phrase
Want to say 请说慢一点 without looking it up? Build the vocabulary first.
HSK Lord starts you on the 300 words the new HSK 1 exam tests and schedules each review right before you would forget it. Free to start.