Meanings of 迟缓
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Podcast: 迟缓
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AI Study Notes for 迟缓
迟钝 (chídùn) — use 迟缓 for general slowness, while 迟钝 specifically refers to dullness or slowness in mental acuity.
Be careful not to confuse 迟缓 with similar terms like 慢 (màn), which means 'slow' but lacks the nuance of sluggishness. This word is often used in more formal contexts, such as medical descriptions or performance evaluations. Pay attention to the second tone (huan) to avoid mispronunciation.
As an HSK Level 6 word, 迟缓 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to speed and efficiency, such as 加快 (jiākuài, to speed up) and 迅速 (xùnsù, rapid). Focus on using it in complex sentences to describe various contexts of delay.
Learners often mistakenly use 迟缓 to describe general slowness without context, such as saying '他很迟缓' (He is very slow) when the context should specify what is slow (e.g., thinking, moving). Instead, specify the subject: '他的思维很迟缓' (His thinking is very sluggish).
Pronunciation of 迟缓
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Component Characters
How to say slow in Chinese
“slow” in Chinese is迟缓
迟缓 (chi2 huan3) refers to a state of slowness or sluggishness, often used to describe physical movement, mental processes, or the pace of events. It conveys a sense of delay or lack of urgency, and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe something that is not operating at an expected speed.
When to use 迟缓
Be careful not to confuse 迟缓 with similar terms like 慢 (màn), which means 'slow' but lacks the nuance of sluggishness. This word is often used in more formal contexts, such as medical descriptions or performance evaluations. Pay attention to the second tone (huan) to avoid mispronunciation.
迟缓 or something close to it
迟钝 (chídùn) — use 迟缓 for general slowness, while 迟钝 specifically refers to dullness or slowness in mental acuity.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 迟缓 to describe general slowness without context, such as saying '他很迟缓' (He is very slow) when the context should specify what is slow (e.g., thinking, moving). Instead, specify the subject: '他的思维很迟缓' (His thinking is very sluggish).
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Grammar Patterns of 迟缓
迟缓 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
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为什么成年人总是那么一本正经，对好点子反应那么____呢？
Why were grown-ups always so stuffy and slow to recognize good ideas?
Example Sentences for 迟缓 (2)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 迟缓
You can say, "他的反应很迟缓" (His reaction is very sluggish) to describe someone's slow response.
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