sluggish / dragging
Loading your saved state.
sluggish
Describes a process that moves forward only very slowly, laboriously, and with delays.
Die Verhandlungen zwischen den Parteien verliefen äußerst schleppend.
The negotiations between the parties proceeded extremely sluggishly.
dragging
Describes a slow, heavy, and laborious way of moving, especially when walking.
Nach der langen Wanderung ging er mit schleppenden Schritten nach Hause.
After the long hike, he went home with dragging steps.
'Schleppend' (sluggish/dragging) is the present participle of the verb 'schleppen' (to drag something heavy). It describes a movement or process that is so slow and laborious that it is as if you were dragging something heavy.
Der Bau des neuen Hauses kommt nur schleppend voran.
The construction of the new house is progressing only sluggishly.
As an adverb, 'schleppend' (sluggishly) often describes the slow progress of processes. Typical verbs are 'verlaufen' (to proceed), 'vorangehen' (to make progress), 'laufen' (to run/proceed), or 'beginnen' (to begin).
Wegen der vielen Fragen kam die Diskussion nur schleppend in Gang.
Because of the many questions, the discussion only got going sluggishly.
When 'schleppend' (dragging) describes a movement, it is used as an adjective before a noun. Common combinations are 'schleppender Gang' (dragging gait) or 'schleppende Schritte' (dragging steps).
Der alte Mann ging mit schleppendem Gang durch den Park.
The old man walked through the park with a dragging gait.
slow
Langsam and schleppend both describe a process making little progress. Langsam describes the pace neutrally. Schleppend additionally shows that the process is moving forward laboriously, with delays, or unsatisfactorily.
Die Verhandlungen kommen schleppend voran, weil es ständig neue Verzögerungen gibt.
The negotiations are progressing sluggishly because there are constant new delays.
Die Verhandlungen kommen langsam voran, weil alle Fragen genau geprüft werden.
The negotiations are progressing slowly because every issue is being examined carefully.
