расслабляться
rasslabljátʹsja[rəsːɫɐˈblʲat͡sːə]
In Russian, the phrase for chill is расслабляться (rasslabljátʹsja).
The word расслабляться is used to describe the act of becoming calm, relaxed or easygoing, often involving the release of physical or mental tension.
Meaning: calm, relaxed, easygoing (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb is built from the root слаб meaning weak or loose, with the prefix рас- meaning un- or dis- and the reflexive suffix -ся meaning self, so it literally means to make oneself loose.
Which one should you use?
While расслабляться is the standard term for relaxing physically or mentally, the slang term чиллить is used to describe the social act of hanging out or doing nothing.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The anglicism чиллить is a slang term used primarily by younger Russian speakers in casual settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form расслабляться describes an ongoing process or a habitual action. For a single, completed instance of chilling out, you should use the perfective form расслабиться.
How do you pronounce it?
rasslabljátʹsja
Did you know?
- The slang чиллить is often used in the phrase чиллить на чилле, which is a redundant expression similar to saying 'chilling on a chill'.
- The root слаб is shared with the word ослабить, which means to loosen a knot or a screw, showing that the language treats mental relaxation like loosening a physical object.
- The English word 'slack' and the Russian root слаб both share a conceptual history of things that have lost their tension or hardness.
Examples in context
- Как вы любите расслабляться в конце долгого рабочего дня?How do you like to relax and chill out at the end of a long working day?This sentence shows how to use расслабляться when asking about relaxing at the end of a work day.Tatoeba #4289239 by corvard, translation #4289237 by corvard
- Вам нужно немного расслабления после работы.You need some relaxation after work.
- Давай все расслабимся и насладимся моментом.Let's all chill and enjoy the moment.
Example conversation
Olga and Dmitry are talking about their plans for the evening.
- Ольга OlgaДмитрий, пойдём в кино сегодня?Dmitriy, poydyom v kino segodnya?Dmitry, shall we go to the cinema today?
- Дмитрий DmitryНет, я сегодня хочу просто расслабляться дома.Net, ya segodnya khochu prosto rasslablyat'sya doma.No, I just want to chill at home today.
- Ольга OlgaХорошо, я тоже не против отдохнуть.Khorosho, ya tozhe ne protiv otdokhnut'.Okay, I don't mind resting too.
- Дмитрий DmitryТогда закажем пиццу и посмотрим фильм.Togda zakazhem pitstsu i posmotrim fil'm.Then let's order pizza and watch a movie.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry расслабляться, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
