estar tranquilo
/estaɾ tɾankilo/from spelling rules
To be calm in Spanish is estar tranquilo.
The phrase is used to describe being in a state of peace or being free from agitation and anxiety.
Which one should you use?
The verb estar is used because being calm is treated as a temporary state or mood rather than an inherent personality trait. If you want to use the phrase as an interjection to tell someone to calm down or relax, you can use the masculine singular form ¡Tranquilo! alone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, people might use tranqui to convey a more relaxed and informal way of saying be calm.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or people being described. Use estar tranquila to be calm if referring to a female, estar tranquilos for a group of men or a mixed group and estar tranquilas for a group of women.
How do you pronounce it?
/estaɾ tɾankilo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, a common non-verbal accompaniment to saying tranquilo is a gesture with the palms facing down and moving slightly up and down.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying ¡Tranquilo! to someone who is angry can sometimes be perceived as dismissive or patronizing rather than soothing.
- The verb estar is related to the English word 'stand', both originating from the Latin 'stare', which refers to staying in a fixed position or state.
Examples in context
- Nadie sabe dónde está Vanuatu, por eso quiero ir allí, para estar tranquilo.No one knows where Vanuatu is, that's why I want to be there, to be calm.This sentence shows the use of estar tranquilo to express a desire for peace and quiet.Tatoeba #10146600 by saverius, translation #12961960 by mexicanhere
- Mantén la calma durante la reunión.Stay calm during the meeting.
- Conserva la tranquilidad ante el problema.Preserve tranquility in the face of the problem.
- ¡Tranquilo! Todo estará bien.Be calm! Everything will be fine.
- Necesito mantenerme tranquila en momentos de estrés.I need to stay calm in stressful situations.
- Relájate y disfruta del momento.Be calm and enjoy the moment.
- ¡Tranquilízate! No es para tanto.Calm down! It's not a big deal.
- Necesito estar tranquilo para dormir.I need to be calm to sleep.
- Él quiere estar tranquilo en la montaña.He wants to be calm in the mountains.
Example conversation
María is trying to comfort Daniel before a job interview.
- MaríaDaniel, intenta estar tranquilo ahora.Daniel, try to be calm now.
- DanielEs difícil porque estoy muy nervioso.It is difficult because I am very nervous.
- MaríaRespira profundo para estar tranquilo.Breathe deeply to be calm.
- DanielGracias, María, me siento mejor.Thanks, María, I feel better.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estar, tranquilo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
