calme
/kalm/
The English word 'calm' is translated into French as calme.
calme is used as an adjective to describe someone or something that is free from anger and anxiety. It can also be used as a noun to refer to a period without wind, such as in the phrase calme plat, which specifically describes a 'dead calm' where there is a complete lack of wind or waves on water. Related verbal forms include calmer, meaning to calm down or soothe and apaiser.
Meaning: free from anger and anxiety (adj)
Which one should you use?
While calme is the most common and straightforward translation for 'calm', other words offer different nuances. Tranquille implies a sense of tranquility and peace, while serein(e) denotes a deep sense of calmness and serenity. Paisible is used to describe a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, and détendu(e) describes someone who is relaxed, composed or 'unwound'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective calme is the same in both its masculine and feminine forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/kalm/
Did you know?
- The word calme shares its ancestry with the Greek word καῦμα, which referred to a 'burning heat'.
- To describe being 'unwound' or relaxed after stress, French speakers use détendu, which literally carries the sense of being 'un-tightened'.
- The verb calmer can be used in a way that sounds more clinical than the English 'to calm', sometimes implying the reduction of a physical fever.
Examples in context
- La mer est calme.The sea is calm.This sentence shows how to describe the state of the sea using calme.Tatoeba #1911700 by sacredceltic, translation #1901580 by Spamster
- Tom a l'air calme.Tom seems calm.This sentence uses calme to describe how someone appears.Tatoeba #5899404 by Aiji, translation #2237684 by CK
- Il doit se calmer.He should calm down.This sentence uses the reflexive form of calme (from the verb calmer) to suggest calming oneself down.Tatoeba #8661054 by Julien_PDC, translation #9266845 by shekitten
- Restons calmes et essayons de trouver une solution ensembleLet's stay calm and try to find a solution together
- Je préfère un endroit plus tranquille, plus coolI prefer a calmer, more relaxed place
- 207 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are talking after a stressful meeting.
- LucasTu as l'air très calme maintenant.You look very calm now.
- ChloéOui, je me sens enfin calme.Yes, I finally feel calm.
- LucasC'est bien, car c'était stressant.That's good, because it was stressful.
- ChloéMerci, Lucas, tu m'as aidée.Thank you, Lucas, you helped me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “calm” translations and entries calme, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calme, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
