Why for open the door slowly: it's "doucement" instead of "lentement"
Doucement or lentement for slowly
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MaeveKwiziq community member
Doucement or lentement for slowly
This question relates to:French lesson "Conjugate ouvrir/découvrir and derivatives in the present tense in French (Le Présent)"
Asked 3 years ago
Agree with Jim - ‘doucement’ adds a factor of ‘reducing/avoiding disturbance’ or ‘being careful’ - and is a word young French children can hear quite regularly !
Lentement is more specific to a comment on ‘speed’.
However, as doing something slowly is often required to do something gently, there is some overlap in contextual meaning, in French and in English translation.
Jim Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Hi Maeve,
The two adverbs have a certain synonymy but it is a matter of context as to which is the most appropriate.
If the meaning is gently / softly / delicately then "doucement" otherwise for slowly "lentement" would probably be more apt.
Hope this helps.
Jim
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