천천히 VS 느리게

Many Korean learners confuse '천천히' and '느리게' 

because both can be translated as "slowly" in English. 

However, they are used in different contexts. 

Let's break it down clearly with explanations and examples!

1. 천천히

- Focuses on the manner in which something is done (smoothly, gradually, or carefully).

- Often used with actions that require control or intentional slowing down.

- Does not imply an objectively slow speed, but rather a comfortable or deliberate pace.

- Rarely has a negative connotation.

- There is no adjective form of '천천히' ('천천하다' does not exist ❌).

- Since '천천히' is an adverb, it must modify a verb

- commonly used with these verbs. (걷다, 말하다, 먹다, 읽다...)

- 천천히 걷다 (to walk slowly at a relaxed pace)

- 천천히 말하다 (to speak slowly and clearly)

- 천천히 먹다 (to eat slowly, without rushing)

- 천천히 읽다 (to read carefully and at a relaxed pace)

<Examples>

- 길이 미끄러우니까 천천히 걸으세요. (The road is slippery, so walk carefully.)

- 제가 이해할 수 있도록 천천히 말해 주세요. (Please speak slowly so I can understand.)

- 너무 빨리 먹지 말고 천천히 드세요. (Don’t eat too fast; eat at a comfortable pace.)

- 저는 책을 천천히 읽는 것을 선호해요. (I prefer reading books at a slow and relaxed pace.)

<Key point>

Use '천천히' when you want to emphasize control, ease, or careful execution of an action rather than just speed.

2. 느리게

- Focuses on the actual speed of something (physically or functionally slow).

- Used when something is slower than usual, inefficient, or delayed.

- Often has a negative connotation when talking about performance.

- '느리게' is derived from the adjective '느리다.'

- When used as an adjective, say '느려요,'

- 이 기차는 너무 느려요." (This train is too slow.)

- 이 컴퓨터가 너무 느려서 답답해요. (This computer is too slow, so it’s frustrating.)

- when used as an adverb, say '느리게.' and it should be used with these verbs.

<Examples>

- 이 컴퓨터는 너무 느리게 작동해요. (This computer runs too slowly.)

- 교통 체증 때문에 차가 느리게 가고 있어요. (Because of traffic, the cars are moving slowly.)

- 그 선수는 평소보다 느리게 달렸어요. (The athlete ran more slowly than usual )

- 현진 씨는 느리게 일해서 사장님이 안 좋아해요. (현진 works too slowly, so the boss doesn’t like it.)

<Key Point>

Use '느리게' when talking about actual speed, delays, or something being less efficient than normal.

[ 제 친구는 천천히 걸어요 VS 제 친구는 느리게 걸어요 ]

- 천천히 걸어요: It describes a friend walking at a relaxed pace and can be neutral or positive.

- 느리게 걸어요: It gives a sense of frustration and does not have a complimentary nuance.

[ 천천히 말해 주세요 VS 느리게 말해 주세요 ]

- 천천히 말해 주세요 (Please speak slowly and clearly.)  

: The focus is on speaking carefully so others can understand.

- 느리게 말해 주세요 (sounds unnatural)

: '느리게 말하다'" means speaking abnormally slowly, so requesting it sounds odd.

[Mini Test]

Which word fits better in these sentences? (천천히 or 느리게)

1.  시험 문제를 ___ 읽으세요. 

2.  인터넷이 너무 ___ 연결돼서 짜증나요.

3.  자동차가 고장 나서 ___ 움직이고 있어요.

4.  지현 씨가 다쳤으니까 우리 ___ 걸을까요?

<Answer>

1. 시험 문제를 천천히 읽으세요. (Please read the exam questions carefully.)

: This emphasizes reading at a controlled and careful pace, not an abnormally slow speed.

2. 인터넷이 너무 느리게 연결돼서 짜증나요.  (The internet connects too slowly, so it’s frustrating.)

: The internet speed is objectively slow and cannot be controlled, so "느리게" is the correct choice.

3. 자동차가 고장 나서 느리게 움직이고 있어요. (The car is moving too slowly because it's broken.)

: The car’s movement is slower than normal due to a mechanical issue, not a controlled action.

4. 지현 씨가 다쳤으니까 우리 천천히 걸을까요? (Since 지현 is injured, shall we walk carefully?)

: This suggests walking carefully at a comfortable pace for 지현, rather than just slowly.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask in the comments!😊