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lento
/ˈlɛn.to/
slow
Il treno è lento oggi.
The train is slow today.
neutral
Moving or operating at a low speed; not quick.
Camminava con passo lento.
He walked with slow steps.
Commonly used to describe physical movement, processes, or actions.
informal
Not mentally quick; lacking in intelligence or quickness of mind.
È un po' lento a capire.
He's a bit slow to understand.
Used colloquially to describe someone who is not quick-witted.
technical
In music, played or sung slowly.
Il brano è scritto in tempo lento.
The piece is written in slow tempo.
Refers to tempo markings in musical compositions.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Common Mistakes
Avoid translating 'lento' as 'lazy' in most contexts. 'Lento' refers to speed, not willingness to work. For example, 'un lavoratore lento' means 'a slow worker', not 'a lazy worker'.
Gold Rule
Speed vs. Intelligence
Distinguish between physical slowness ('lento' for speed) and mental slowness ('lento a capire' for understanding).
Word Origin
From Latin 'lentus' meaning 'slow, sluggish'.
Usage Notes
Used broadly in Italian to describe speed or mental agility. In music, it specifically refers to tempo. Avoid using 'lento' to describe people in formal contexts; prefer 'tardo' or 'poco reattivo'.
Word Breakdown
lent-
slow
root-o
adjective suffix
suffixDizionario Italiano-Inglese