sluggish

Compared meaning: slow to react or think (adjective).

比较义项：反应迟钝、动作或思维不敏捷（形容词）。

• slow

  A neutral, general word for someone who is not quick to understand or react; mild in tone, often used politely or descriptively without implying illness or fatigue.

  一个中性、笼统的词，指某人理解或反应不够快；语气较温和，常用来客观描述，不暗示生病或疲劳。

  He's a bit slow with numbers, so he double-checks every calculation.

  他算数有点迟钝，所以每次计算都要检查两遍。

• sluggish 本词

  Stronger and more physical: suggests a temporary state of low energy, tiredness, or reduced alertness, often affecting the whole body or mind, not a permanent trait.

  语气更强、更偏身体感受：暗示一种暂时的低能量、疲惫或警觉性下降的状态，常影响整个身体或头脑，而不是一种固定的性格特点。

  The heavy lunch left me feeling sluggish for the rest of the afternoon.

  那顿丰盛的午饭让我整个下午都感觉昏昏沉沉、反应迟钝。

Both words describe someone slow to understand or react. Slow is neutral and general, often used politely, without suggesting illness. Sluggish is stronger and more physical, suggesting temporary low energy or reduced alertness. Slow's other meaning, moving at low speed, is not compared.

这两个词在“反应慢、不灵敏”这个意义上很接近，但 sluggish 更强调身体或机能运转缓慢、有气无力，常用于描述人的状态、经济或机器；slow 更泛泛，只是简单说反应或理解能力不快，语气较中性、较弱。这里不比较 slow 的其他常见义项，如“速度慢”（车开得慢）。