lenta
/LEN-tah/
slow
The tortoise moves very slowly, illustrating 'lenta' when referring to speed or movement.
lenta(Adjective)
slow
?referring to speed or movement
,sluggish
?describing an action or process
gradual
?describing change over time
📝 In Action
Esta computadora es muy lenta, necesito una nueva.
A1This computer is very slow, I need a new one.
La tortuga es un animal de marcha lenta.
A2The turtle is an animal with a slow pace.
La recuperación después de la cirugía fue lenta.
B1The recovery after the surgery was slow.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
'Lenta' is the feminine form. You must use it when describing a feminine noun (like 'la comida' or 'la máquina'). If the thing you describe is masculine, use 'lento'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Adjective and Adverb
Mistake: "Habló lenta para que yo entendiera."
Correction: Habló lentamente para que yo entendiera. (Use the -mente adverb form when describing how an action is done.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Estar' vs. 'Ser'
Use 'ser' (Ella es lenta) to describe a permanent quality, and 'estar' (La conexión está lenta hoy) to describe a temporary state or condition.
The puzzled expression shows someone who is 'lenta' or slow-witted, taking a long time to process simple information.
lenta(Adjective)
slow-witted
?describing someone who takes a long time to understand
,dull
?describing mental processing
dim
?informal; describing lack of intelligence
📝 In Action
Es una estudiante muy lenta, necesita mucha ayuda.
B1She is a very slow student; she needs a lot of help.
No es que sea lenta, es que está distraída.
B2It's not that she's slow-witted, it's that she's distracted.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing Personality
When 'lenta' describes a person's intelligence or character, always use the verb 'ser' (to be) because it refers to an inherent quality.
⭐ Usage Tips
Softening the Meaning
To sound less harsh, you can use 'un poco lenta' (a little slow) or 'lenta de reflejos' (slow reflexes) instead of just 'lenta'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: lenta
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'lenta'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'lenta' and 'lentamente'?
'Lenta' is an adjective, used to describe a feminine thing (La máquina es lenta). 'Lentamente' is an adverb, used to describe how an action is performed, regardless of gender (Ella camina lentamente).
Why is 'lenta' used and not 'lento'?
'Lenta' is the feminine form. It must be used when the noun it modifies is feminine (like 'la casa', 'la idea', or 'la mujer'). If the noun were masculine (like 'el coche'), you would use 'lento'.