cálmate
/kalmate/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'calm down' is translated into Spanish as cálmate.
The verb used to express the action of becoming less excited is calmarse.
Meaning: To become less excited (verb)
Which one should you use?
While cálmate is common, tranquilízate is a very frequent alternative used to tell someone to settle down or relax. You can also use tranquilo or tranquila as a command meaning 'Be calm'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you might hear tranquilízate instead of cálmate.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form cálmate is the informal singular imperative, used when speaking to a friend, child or peer.
How do you pronounce it?
/kalmate/
Did you know?
- In some regions, the phrase baja las revoluciones is used colloquially to tell someone to calm down, literally meaning 'lower the revolutions' as if the person were a car engine.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, telling an angry person cálmate can ironically be perceived as provocative or dismissive, potentially escalating the tension instead of diffusing it.
- The word tranquilo, used to tell someone to calm down, shares a root with the English word 'tranquilizer', which comes from the Latin 'tranquillus'.
Examples in context
- Respira profundo y cálmate.Take a deep breath and calm down.This example shows how to use cálmate when suggesting someone breathe deeply.Tatoeba #10286102 by Seael, translation #11069930 by Luornu
- Cálmate y explícamelo desde el principio.Calm down and explain it from the beginning.This example uses cálmate to suggest someone explain something after calming down.Tatoeba #5451089 by Seael, translation #6075503 by mendel
- Cálmate.Calm down.This is a simple way to say cálmate.Tatoeba #566428 by Shishir, translation #435575 by CK
- Ana: ¡Cálmate, estás exagerando! Pedro: Lo siento, tienes razón.Ana: Calm down, you're overreacting! Pedro: I'm sorry, you're right.
- Miguel: Señora García, le ruego que se calme y nos explique la situación con tranquilidad.Miguel: Mrs. García, I beg you to calm down and explain the situation calmly.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo is very frustrated after losing his keys.
- MaríaMateo, cálmate por favor.Mateo, calm down please.
- MateoEs que no las encuentro por ningún lado.It's just that I can't find them anywhere.
- MaríaPrimero cálmate y luego las buscamos.First calm down and then we will look for them.
- MateoTienes razón, voy a respirar un poco.You're right, I'm going to breathe a little.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
