décontracté
/de.kɔ̃.tʁak.te/
The English phrase "laid back" is translated into French as décontracté.
The term décontracté describes someone or something that is relaxed and not easily stressed or worried. It can be used to describe a person's temperament, a style of dress or atmosphere.
Which one should you use?
While décontracté refers to a relaxed state or style, zen is often used in French to describe a person who is extremely calm or unshakeable.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective takes an extra -e at the end when describing a female subject (décontractée). The adjective takes an -s at the end when describing a group of males or a mixed-gender group (décontractés). The adjective takes -es at the end when describing a group of females (décontractées).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has four syllables and is pronounced /de.kɔ̃.tʁak.te/.
Did you know?
- The word décontracté is the opposite of contracté, which refers to a muscle contraction. While English uses 'laid back' as a spatial metaphor, French uses a biological one, imagining the body physically releasing tension.
- In very informal French, to say someone is 'laid back' or 'chill', you might hear the word tranquille, which literally means 'quiet' or 'still'.
- French speakers often use the phrase en mode détente to describe being in a 'laid back' state of mind. The word mode here mimics the setting of a machine, treating relaxation like a toggle switch.
Examples in context
- Tu es trop décontracté.You're too laid back.This sentence uses décontracté to describe a person's temperament.Tatoeba #10312027 by lbdx, translation #3717692 by karloelkebekio
- Il a un look décontracté.He has a laid back appearance.This sentence uses décontracté to describe an appearance or style.Tatoeba #3072467 by Blabla, translation #14020565 by zogwarg
- Je suis très décontractée.I'm very laid back.This sentence uses the feminine form décontractée to describe a female subject.Tatoeba #7980608 by Micsmithel, translation #7114136 by CM
- Il est toujours détenduHe is always laid back
- Elle a une attitude décontractéeShe has a laid back attitude
- Son approche calme est rafraîchissanteHis/her laid-back approach is refreshing
- T'es vraiment cool !You're really laid back!
- Il est vraiment relax, tu devrais le rencontrerHe's really laid back, you should meet him
- T'es trop zen, j'adore ça !You're so laid back, I love it!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are talking about a new colleague at work.
- HugoEst-ce que ton nouveau collègue est stressé ?Is your new colleague stressed?
- ChloéNon, il est vraiment décontracté.No, he is really laid back.
- HugoC'est agréable d'avoir quelqu'un comme ça.It is nice to have someone like that.
- ChloéOui, il ne s'inquiète jamais.Yes, he never worries.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry décontracté, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
