reste calme
The English phrase "be calm" is translated into French as reste calme.
This phrase is used to tell someone to remain peaceful and not become upset or excited in a stressful situation.
Which one should you use?
In practice, reste calme and sois calme are used interchangeably to mean the same thing. However, reste calme literally translates to "stay calm," which emphasizes maintaining a current state, whereas sois calme emphasizes the state of being calm itself. For a more direct or sometimes slightly more blunt way to say "calm down," you can use the reflexive form calme-toi.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the imperative changes depending on whether you are addressing one person or multiple people, and the level of formality. Use reste calme when speaking to a single person in an informal way, such as a friend or a child. When addressing more than one person, or when using the formal vous form, use restez calme.
Did you know?
- The word calme is likely linked to the Ancient Greek word kaûma, which referred to the oppressive heat of the midday sun when the wind stops blowing.
- If someone is losing their temper, a more idiomatic way to tell them to be calm is to use the phrase garde ton sang-froid, which literally means 'keep your cold blood'.
- In modern informal French, the word zen is frequently used as an adjective to tell someone to reste zen, borrowing directly from the terminology of Japanese Buddhism.
Examples in context
- Lors de cette réunion importante, il est crucial que vous soyez calme et concentré.During this important meeting, it is crucial that you be calm and focused.
- Restez calme, nous allons trouver une solution.Stay calm, we will find a solution.
- Arrête de t'inquiéter pour ça, sois calme et profite du moment.Stop worrying about that, be calm, and enjoy the moment.
- Reste calme et prends quelques respirations profondes avant de répondre.Stay calm and take a few deep breaths before responding.
- Reste calme, tout va bien se passer.Be calm, everything will go well.
- S'il te plaît, reste calme pendant l'examen.Please, stay calm during the exam.
- Reste calme malgré le bruit.Remain calm despite the noise.
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are waiting for a late train.
- LéaLe train est encore en retard !The train is late again!
- GabrielReste calme, Léa, on va arriver.Stay calm, Léa, we will get there.
- LéaMais je suis vraiment stressée.But I am really stressed.
- GabrielRespire et essaie de patienter.Breathe and try to be patient.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calme, reste, CC BY-SA 4.0.
