Cálmate
informal, Mexico
Mexicans most often say Cálmate to a friend and Cálmese to someone they address as usted. Tranquilo or tranquila is the gentle, everyday version. It is also called Tranquilízate.
Meaning: telling someone to relax (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| Cálmate | informal, Mexico |
| Tranquilízate | informal |
| Cálmese | formal |
Cálmate can sound sharp if the other person is upset. Many people soften it with ya or tranquilo: Ya, tranquilo, todo está bien.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use cálmate with people you call tú and cálmese with older people or strangers. Use tranquila when speaking to a woman and tranquilo to a man.
Did you know?
- The adjective tranquilo is also a common way to answer thanks or an apology in Mexico, as in Tranquilo, no te preocupes.
Examples in context
- Cálmate, no pasa nada.Calm down, nothing is wrong.
- Tranquilo, ya llegamos.Relax, we have arrived.
- Cálmese, señora, ya lo estamos resolviendo.Please calm down, ma am, we are already solving it.
Example conversation
Rosa tries to calm her brother Beto before a job interview in Puebla.
- RosaCálmate, Beto, vas a salir bien.Calm down, Beto, you will do fine.
- BetoEs que estoy muy nervioso.I am just very nervous.
- RosaRespira. Tranquilo.Breathe. Relax.
