How to Say “Chill Bro” in Spanish

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cálmate hermano
/kalmate eɾmano/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'chill bro' can be translated into Spanish as cálmate hermano.
This expression is used to tell a friend or peer to relax and calm down. While cálmate hermano is a direct way to say it, many speakers simply use the word tranquilo to tell someone to chill out or relax. Depending on the level of informality, you might also use phrases like Relájate, pana or Tranqui, colega.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase consists of the reflexive imperative verb cálmate (calm yourself) and the noun hermano (brother).

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

The phrase is informal. For more slang-heavy or highly casual versions, you can use tranquilo, carnal (often used in Mexico) or tranki, tío and relájate, tío in Spain.

Is it said differently in some regions?

Spanish speakers use different variations depending on their location. In Mexico, you can say Cálmate, compa or the slangy tranquilo, carnal. In Spain, the term tío is frequently used for 'dude' or 'bro', making tranki, tío or relájate, tío common. In Argentina, the phrase tranca, chabón is used to express the idea of 'chilling out, dude'.

How does it change in a sentence?

The word cálmate is the informal singular imperative, which is used when you are addressing one person (the 'tú' form).

Did you know?

  • In Spain, the word tío literally means 'uncle', but it is used as the standard slang for 'dude' or 'bro' when telling someone to chill. It is used regardless of whether the person is actually a relative.
  • The Spanish word hermano shares a common ancestor with the English word 'germane'. Both derive from the Latin germānus, which originally referred to siblings born from the same parents.
  • The phrase tranquilo is often used as a one-word command to chill, but it is also used as a response to 'thank you' in some contexts to mean 'don't worry about it'.

Examples in context

  • Tranqui, colega. No te preocupes tanto, todo estará bien.
    Chill out, buddy. Don't worry so much, everything will be fine.
  • Tranki, tío. No pasa nada, relájate y disfruta del momento.
    Chill bro. It's all good, relax and enjoy the moment.
  • Tranca, chabón. No te pongas así, todo va a salir bien.
    Chill out, dude. Don't get upset, everything will turn out fine.

Example conversation

Daniel is getting stressed about a late project.

  1. Lucía

    Daniel, cálmate hermano, aún tenemos tiempo.
    Daniel, chill bro, we still have time.
  2. Daniel

    Es que el profesor es muy estricto.
    It's just that the teacher is very strict.
  3. Lucía

    Ya lo sé, pero no entres en pánico.
    I know, but don't panic.
  4. Daniel

    Tienes razón, voy a respirar profundo.
    You're right, I'm going to take a deep breath.

Sources

  • IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
  • Word origins: Wiktionary entries hermano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Jonathon Frederick
Jonathon FrederickHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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