lentamente
“lentamente” means “slowly” in Spanish (manner of movement or action).
slowly
Also: leisurely, gradually
📝 In Action
El caracol camina lentamente por la hoja.
A1The snail walks slowly along the leaf.
Por favor, habla más lentamente para que pueda entenderte.
A2Please speak more slowly so I can understand you.
Las cosas están cambiando lentamente en la empresa.
B1Things are changing gradually in the company.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: lentamente
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the word to describe the action?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
This word comes from the Latin adjective *lentus* (meaning 'slow' or 'pliant') combined with the Latin word *mente*, which originally meant 'mind' or 'manner.' So, 'lentamente' literally means 'in a slow manner' or 'with a slow mind.'
First recorded: Medieval Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'lentamente' the only way to say 'slowly'?
No, the word 'despacio' is a very common and often interchangeable synonym, especially when talking about physical movement or asking someone to reduce their speed.
How do I know when to use '-mente'?
The '-mente' ending is the standard way to create Spanish adverbs that describe the manner of an action (like English '-ly'). You start with the adjective (e.g., 'normal,' 'fácil,' 'lenta') and add '-mente' to describe the verb.