Doucement vs (plus) lentement

[Namssob]

I'm curious - in one of the beginner lessons, it uses "repetez doucement", but when the french speakers actually say this during some dialogue in other lessons, I never hear this, and instead I hear "repetez plus lentement". I know there are always more than one way to say something, but as a new learner, what is preferred to help me really understand the language better? While traveling in France as a tourist, which is preferred?

[community.french]

Bonjour Namsob !

As a French speaker I would prefer to use "parler plus lentement" : " Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement s'il vous plait ?"
"Doucement" can also be used (as you said it) but this adjective comes from the word 'doux". It means "soft", "gentle". So if someone is speaking very loudly, I would ask him to "Parler plus doucement".
"Parler lentement" is really used when your interlocutor is speaking way too fast for you.

I hope that's clear !

Bon week-end !
Marie Alice
Team FrenchPod101.com