Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| tranquillus | [traŋˈkʷɪl.lʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [traŋˈkʷil.lus] (narrow) |
| sēdātus | |
| placidus | [ˈpɫa.kɪ.dʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈplaː.t͡ʃi.dus] (narrow) |
The adjective describes a state of being free from anger and anxiety. Depending on the nuance you wish to convey, whether you are describing a peaceful nature, a person who has been quieted or a gentle temperament, different forms are used.
Which one should you use?
tranquillus is the most common way to describe a state of peace or tranquility in nature or the mind. In contrast, sēdātus implies a state of being settled or subdued, often used for a person who has been previously agitated and has now been quieted. Finally, placidus is used to emphasize a gentle, mild or pleasant temperament or weather.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. For example, use the feminine form tranquilla when modifying feminine nouns such as anima (soul).
Did you know?
- The Latin word sēdātus is the direct ancestor of the English word 'sedated'. While today it refers to medical drugs, in Latin it simply meant someone who had become quiet or settled.
- The word sēdātus shares a root with sedere, meaning 'to sit'. To be 'calm' in this sense is metaphorically like having sat down after being restless.
- The word placidus is built from the root of placeō, which means 'to please' or 'to satisfy'. It literally describes a state of being pleasingly calm.
Examples in context
- Thomas tranquillus esse videtur.Tom seems to be calm.This sentence uses tranquillus to describe how someone appears to be.Tatoeba #7037596 by alexmarcelo, translation #3422101 by CK
- Tranquillus sis.Calm down.This sentence uses tranquillus as a command to calm down.Tatoeba #6670120 by CarpeLanam, translation #435575 by CK
- Esto tranquillus.Be calm.This sentence uses tranquillus as an imperative to be calm.Tatoeba #7037597 by alexmarcelo, translation #1916317 by CK
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Marcus and Lucia are discussing a stressful day.
- MarcusCur non es tranquillus, Marce?Why are you not calm, Marcus?
- LuciaMulta opera hodie habeo.I have a lot of work today.
- MarcusSede et respira paulisper.Sit down and breathe for a while.
- LuciaGratias, nunc sum tranquillus.Thanks, now I am calm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “calm” translations and entries tranquillus, placidus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries placidus, tranquillus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
