beruhige dich
The English phrase "quiet down" is translated into German as beruhige dich.
While "quiet down" in English can refer specifically to volume, the German phrase beruhige dich carries a stronger connotation of emotional calming or reducing agitation.
Meaning: become quieter (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb beruhigen (to calm/quiet) and the reflexive pronoun dich (yourself).
Which one should you use?
When telling a group of people (friends, children or peers) to quiet down, use the plural imperative beruhigt euch.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Austrian, you may hear Seids bitte leiser! to mean "Please be quieter!"
How does it change in a sentence?
To use this phrase in a formal setting or when addressing a stranger, use the polite form beruhigen Sie sich instead of the informal beruhige dich.
Did you know?
- Saying beruhige dich to someone who is already quiet can be perceived as highly condescending or even provocative in German culture.
- The word dich shares a common ancestor with the Old Saxon word 'thī', making it a distant linguistic relative of the English 'thee'.
- While beruhige dich is used for emotional calming, Germans use Ruhe bitte! as the standard way to request lower volume in public spaces.
Examples in context
- Beruhige dich bitte!Quiet down, please.This example shows how to use beruhige dich with a polite request.Tatoeba #10070348 by wolfgangth, translation #272053 by CK
- Beruhige dich!Quiet down.This example demonstrates the use of beruhige dich as a direct command.Tatoeba #351642 by MUIRIEL, translation #904801 by Trailsend
- Ruhe bitte. Wir fangen gleich an.Quiet, please. We will start shortly.
- Ruhig, Leute! Ich muss mich konzentrieren.Quiet, guys! I need to concentrate.
Example conversation
Maximilian is very upset and shouting in the living room.
- SarahMaximilian, bitte beruhige dich.Maximilian, please quiet down.
- MaximilianIch kann das nicht!I can't do this!
- SarahDu musst jetzt tief durchatmen.You need to take a deep breath now.
- MaximilianOkay, ich versuche es.Okay, I will try.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
