Level 2

느리다

No base JSON record found for this token.

Meaning and Usage

The adjective '느리다' means 'to be slow' or 'to move or happen at a slow pace.' It is commonly used to describe physical speed, such as walking or moving, as well as the speed of machines or processes.

Common Contexts

  • Describing people or animals moving slowly: 걸음이 느리다 (walk slowly).
  • Talking about slow devices or technology: 컴퓨터가 느리다 (the computer is slow).
  • Referring to slow speech or reaction: 느리게 말하다 (speak slowly).

Collocations and Patterns

  • 느리다 + noun (걸음이 느리다): describing the speed of movement.
  • 너무 느리다: emphasizing excessive slowness.
  • 느리게 + verb (느리게 말하다): adverbial form to describe how an action is done slowly.

Register and Politeness

'느리다' is a neutral adjective and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When combined with polite endings, it fits well in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '느리다' with '늦다' (to be late). Remember, '느리다' refers to slowness in speed or pace, while '늦다' means being late in time. For example, '버스가 느리다' means the bus moves slowly, but '버스가 늦다' means the bus is late.

Example Sentences

그 사람은 걸음이 느리다.

Geu sarameun georeumi neurida.

That person walks slowly.

컴퓨터가 너무 느려서 작업하기 힘들어요.

Keompyuteoga neomu neulyeoseo jageobhagi himdeureoyo.

The computer is too slow, so it's hard to work.

느리게 말하지 말고 빨리 말해 주세요.

Neurige malhaji malgo ppalli malhae juseyo.

Please don’t speak slowly, speak quickly.