verlangsamen
to slow down
To reduce the speed of something or someone; to make something slower.
EXAMPLE
Der Fahrer musste das Auto vor der Kurve verlangsamen.
The driver had to slow the car down before the curve.
verlangsamen
to slow down
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Meanings
sich verlangsamen
to slow down
To become slower; to lose speed.
EXAMPLE
Der Stoffwechsel verlangsamt sich mit zunehmendem Alter.
Metabolism slows down with increasing age.
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb 'verlangsamen' (to slow down) is derived from the adjective 'langsam' (slow). The prefix 'ver-' is used here to express a change: to make something slow or to become slow.
EXAMPLE
Eine gesunde Ernährung kann den Alterungsprozess verlangsamen.
A healthy diet can slow down the aging process.
Inseparable verb
The prefix 'ver-' is inseparable. It remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'langsamen' in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sein Tempo nicht verlangsamt.
He did not slow down his pace.
Transitive or reflexive
This verb has two main uses: you can actively slow something down (transitive with an accusative object), or something can slow down by itself (reflexive).
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei verlangsamt den Verkehr.
The police are slowing down traffic.
Typical collocations
When you actively slow something down, typical objects are abstract concepts such as: the pace, growth, a process, or development.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen das Arbeitstempo etwas verlangsamen, um Fehler zu vermeiden.
We need to slow down the work pace a bit to avoid mistakes.
Compare with
verlangsamen vs bremsen
to brake / slow down
For a vehicle, bremsen specifically refers to actively reducing its speed by braking. Verlangsamen is more general and only says that the speed is reduced. When the brake is applied, bremsen is especially appropriate; verlangsamen works for any kind of reduction in speed.
verlangsamen
Vor der engen Kurve verlangsamt die Fahrerin ihre Fahrt.
The driver slows down before the tight curve.
bremsen
Vor der roten Ampel bremst die Fahrerin kräftig.
The driver brakes hard before the red light.
In real life
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