cálmame
/kalmame/from spelling rules
The English phrase "calm me down" is translated into Spanish as cálmame.
This phrase is used as a request for someone to help you become peaceful or relaxed when you are feeling upset or anxious.
Which one should you use?
While cálmame is an imperative command, if you want to express a desire more softly, you would use cálmame, por favor or ayúdame a calmarme.
How does it change in a sentence?
The accent on the first syllable of cálmame is mandatory because the stress falls on the antepenultimate syllable when the pronoun is attached to the imperative.
How do you pronounce it?
/kalmame/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American contexts, if someone is being too loud or frantic, instead of saying cálmate, people might use the colloquialism bájale un cambio to suggest you 'lower a gear' and relax.
- In Spanish, the word calma is used specifically in nautical terms to describe a 'dead calm' sea where there is no wind to move a ship.
- The verb calmar is used in the specific idiomatic expression calmar el hambre, which is the standard way to say you are 'satisfying' or 'appeasing' your hunger.
Examples in context
- Estoy muy nervioso/a. Necesito que me calmes, por favor.I'm very nervous. I need you to calm me down, please.
- Por favor, cálmame.Please, calm me down.
- Estoy muy nerviosa, cálmame un poco.I am very nervous, calm me down a little.
- No puedo dormir, cálmame con tu voz.I cannot sleep, calm me down with your voice.
Example conversation
Lucía is feeling very anxious before a big presentation.
- LucíaAlejandro, estoy muy asustada, cálmame.Alejandro, I am very scared, calm me down.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, todo saldrá bien.Don't worry, everything will be fine.
- Lucía¿Crees que puedo hacerlo?Do you think I can do it?
- AlejandroClaro que sí, confío en ti.Of course, I trust you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
