慢

• Pinyin: màn
• Hanzi breakdown: 慢 = 忄(heart) + 曼 (extended, phonetic component)

Meaning

Slow; slowly. Describes a low speed of movement or action.

The opposite of 快 (fast). Used as both an adjective and adverb. Very common in polite expressions like 慢走 (take care, said when seeing someone off) and 慢慢来 (take your time).

Examples

1. 你走得太慢了。 You walk too slowly.
2. 请说慢一点。 Please speak a bit slower.
3. 他吃饭很慢。 He eats very slowly.

Usage Guide

Context: description, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请慢一点说。(Please speak a bit slower.)
• 慢走！(Take care! — said when seeing someone off)

Don't Say

• 这个车很慢速。(Unnatural — say 这个车很慢; 慢 alone is sufficient as an adjective, don't add 速 in casual speech)

Origin & History

The character combines 忄(heart radical) and 曼 (phonetic component meaning 'extended'), suggesting a leisurely, unhurried disposition.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal