Μίλα λίγο πιο αργά, παρακαλώ.

to speak

Breakdown of Μίλα λίγο πιο αργά, παρακαλώ.

• παρακαλώ: please
• πιο: more
• αργά: slowly

Questions & Answers about Μίλα λίγο πιο αργά, παρακαλώ.

Why is it Μίλα and not μιλάς?

Μίλα is the imperative form (a command or request) of the verb μιλάω / μιλώ (to speak).

• μιλάς = you speak / you are speaking (normal present tense, 2nd person singular).
• Μίλα = speak! (imperative, 2nd person singular).

So in a request like this, Greek uses the imperative Μίλα rather than the present μιλάς.

Is Μίλα informal? How would I say this politely or formally?

Yes, Μίλα is informal, used with people you address as εσύ (friends, family, people your age, children).

For a polite or formal version (or when speaking to more than one person), you use the plural/formal imperative:

• Μιλήστε λίγο πιο αργά, παρακαλώ.
  → Polite/formal: Please speak a bit more slowly.

So:

• Informal: Μίλα λίγο πιο αργά, παρακαλώ.
• Polite/formal or plural: Μιλήστε λίγο πιο αργά, παρακαλώ.

What exactly does λίγο add to the sentence?