Can you speak slowly? I don't understand Italian very well.
len-ta-MEN-te — stress on third syllable. ca-PIS-co — stress on second syllable.
Say this at the start of asking for directions, or after someone has given you directions too quickly to follow, to request a slower repetition.
Parla lentamente (please speak slowly) — parla is the formal Lei form of parlare, functioning here as a polite imperative. Non capisco bene (I don't understand well) — capisco first-person of capire. L'italiano uses the elided article.
Può ripetere più lentamente?
Can you repeat more slowly?
Può ripetere (can you repeat) — specific request to say it again
Può scrivere il nome della via?
Can you write the name of the street?
Asking them to write it down — very helpful when spoken sounds are confusing
Può mostrarmi sulla mappa?
Can you show me on the map?
Pointing on the phone map is often clearer than verbal directions
Italians are almost always kind and patient with learners who try to speak Italian — requesting slow speech is seen as a sign of effort and genuine engagement, never as a weakness.