adjective HSK 4
Traditional 緩慢
slow · sluggish · gradual
Meaning
缓慢 describes something that moves, develops, or progresses at a slow pace. It emphasizes a gentle, unhurried quality rather than sudden or rapid movement. The word combines 缓 (gradual, gentle) and 慢 (slow), reinforcing the concept of slowness.
Usage
缓慢 is more formal than 慢 alone and is often used in written Chinese or formal speech to describe processes, movements, or development. It commonly appears in contexts discussing economic growth, physical movement, or the pace of change. Native speakers often use it when they want to emphasize the gradual nature of something.
Examples
- 01由于天气恶劣，工程进展缓慢。, .Due to bad weather, the project is progressing slowly.
- 02老人缓慢地走上楼梯。.The elderly person slowly walked up the stairs.
Characters
Common collocations
- 缓慢地slowly
- 进展缓慢progress is slow
- 缓慢增长slow growth
- 速度缓慢speed is slow
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters independently mean 'slow' or 'gradual', making this a compound that reinforces the concept through repetition, a common pattern in Chinese word formation.