Learn Hardcore Greek: Μπορείτε να μιλήσετε πιο αργά, σας παρακαλώ;

It’s polite. Μπορείτε is the second-person plural form of “can,” used for formal address to one person (like French vous) or to more than one person. Adding σας παρακαλώ (“please”) makes it extra courteous, so this is perfect for strangers, service situations, or anyone you want to be respectful to.

Why is it μιλήσετε and not μιλάτε?

να μιλήσετε is the aorist subjunctive: it frames the request as a single, bounded action (“speak more slowly (now)”).
να μιλάτε is the present subjunctive: it suggests an ongoing/habitual action (“to be speaking more slowly (in general/continually)”).
In a live conversation, both are acceptable, but να μιλήσετε is the default for “please speak more slowly (right now).”

Can I use an imperative instead?

Yes: Μιλήστε πιο αργά, σας παρακαλώ. This is a direct imperative (“Speak more slowly, please”). It’s a bit more direct than Μπορείτε να…, but adding σας παρακαλώ keeps it polite. Both versions are common and acceptable.

What does σας παρακαλώ literally mean, and is it necessary?

Literally “I beg/ask you.” σας is “you” (formal or plural), and παρακαλώ is “I beg/please.” You can omit it and say just Μπορείτε να μιλήσετε πιο αργά;—that’s still polite. Informally to a friend, say σε παρακαλώ instead of σας παρακαλώ.

Where can I place σας παρακαλώ in the sentence?

Anywhere natural, set off with commas if it’s in the middle:

Σας παρακαλώ, μπορείτε να μιλήσετε πιο αργά;
Μπορείτε, σας παρακαλώ, να μιλήσετε πιο αργά;
Μπορείτε να μιλήσετε πιο αργά, σας παρακαλώ;

Why is there a semicolon at the end? Isn’t that punctuation strange?

In Greek, the symbol that looks like a semicolon (;) is the question mark. So …σας παρακαλώ; is a normal question.

How do I pronounce the whole sentence?

Approximate guide with stressed syllables in caps:
Μπορείτε bo-REE-te (initial μπ sounds like English b)
να na
μιλήσετε mee-LEE-se-te
πιο pyo (one syllable, like “pyoh”)
αργά ar-GA (the γ is a soft “gh” sound)
, σας παρακαλώ; sas pa-ra-ka-LO
Altogether: “bo-REE-te na mee-LEE-se-te pyo ar-GA, sas pa-ra-ka-LO?”

Is πιο σιγά okay for “more slowly”?

Use πιο αργά for “more slowly” (speed). σιγά means “quietly/softly.” If you want them to speak louder or quieter, say πιο δυνατά (louder) or πιο σιγά (more quietly). For a softer tone, many people add λίγο: λίγο πιο αργά (“a bit more slowly”).

How do I say this informally to one person?

Use the singular: Μπορείς να μιλήσεις πιο αργά, σε παρακαλώ;

Μπορείς = you (sing., informal) can
να μιλήσεις = aorist subjunctive, 2nd singular
σε παρακαλώ = please (informal)

Why do we need να here?

Greek uses να to introduce a subordinate verb (the subjunctive) after verbs like “can,” “want,” “must,” etc. Think of μπορείτε να μιλήσετε as “you are able that you speak.” Don’t use για να here—that means “in order to.”

What exactly are the verb forms?

Μπορείτε: present indicative, 2nd person plural of μπορώ (“I can”).
να μιλήσετε: aorist subjunctive, 2nd person plural of μιλάω/μιλώ (“I speak”). Aorist stem: μιλήσ-.
Singular equivalents: μπορείς, να μιλήσεις.

Do I need the comma before σας παρακαλώ?

It’s standard to set σας παρακαλώ off with a comma when it’s added as a “please” tag, especially at the end or in the middle. Writing Μπορείτε να μιλήσετε πιο αργά σας παρακαλώ; without the comma won’t confuse anyone, but the comma is stylistically preferable.

Why is it πιο and not ποιο?

πιο = “more” (comparative marker).
ποιο = “which (neuter).”
They sound the same (pyo) but are spelled differently. Here you need πιο (“more”).

Are there even more polite ways to ask?

Yes. These are very courteous:

Θα μπορούσατε να μιλήσετε πιο αργά, σας παρακαλώ; (“Could you speak more slowly, please?”)
Μήπως μπορείτε να μιλήσετε πιο αργά; (softens the request; literally “Perhaps can you…”)
Start with Συγγνώμη or Με συγχωρείτε: Συγγνώμη, θα μπορούσατε…