French word

ralentir

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁalɑ̃tiʁ/

Meaning

  • verbslow down

Example

Tu dois ralentir sur cette route.

You must slow down on this road.

Illustration for ralentir (slow down)

More examples

Le train commence à ralentir en approchant de la gare.

The train begins to slow down as it approaches the station.

Core concept

A vehicle or activity moving with its pace easing downward rather than stopping at once.

Common phrases

  • ralentir la vitesse

    reduce speed

  • ralentir le pas

    slow the pace

  • ralentir la cadence

    reduce the tempo

Similar words

freiner: To slow down by applying the brakes or taking similar action.
diminuer: To make an amount or degree smaller.
réduire: To reduce the size or quantity of something.
baisser: To lower a height or level.

Definition in French

Faire baisser la vitesse de quelque chose ou de quelqu'un, souvent de façon graduelle.

Word origin

French ralentir developed from lent through the prefix ra- and the verb-forming ending -ir, expressing a move toward being slow.

Usage tips

  • Ralentir works both without an object, as in La voiture ralentit, and with a direct object, as in ralentir la cadence.

Other meanings

  • slowverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word