opusti se
The Croatian way to say 'relax' is opusti se.
The phrase is an intransitive verb used to describe resting and becoming relieved of stress.
Meaning: (intransitive) to rest and become relieved of stress (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is reflexive, meaning it literally translates to 'relax (yourself)'.
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English 'to relax', the Croatian equivalent is almost always used reflexively.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form opusti se is the singular imperative used when telling one person to relax.
Did you know?
- The verb 'opusti' is fundamentally about the physical act of 'untying' or 'loosening', much like untying a knot in a rope.
- Using opusti se during a serious or heated discussion can come across as dismissive, behaving much like the English phrase 'just chill out'.
- The reflexive particle se in opusti se is a grammatical remnant of an ancient Proto-Indo-European root that once described the self.
Examples in context
- Opuštaj se i ne brini o problemima.Relax and don't worry about your problems.
- Smiri se i opusti, sve će biti u redu.Calm down and relax, everything will be alright.
- Nakon ručka, uvijek se odmaknem od svakodnevnih obaveza.After lunch, I always take a break from daily tasks.
- Opusti se i uživaj u glazbi.Relax and enjoy the music.
Example conversation
Petra notices that Luka is very stressed about an exam.
- PetraLuka, izgledaš jako napeto.Luka, you look very tense.
- LukaJesam, ne mogu prestati razmišljati o testu.I am, I can't stop thinking about the test.
- PetraMolim te, opusti se i popij čaj.Please, relax and drink some tea.
- LukaHvala, Petra, to mi stvarno treba.Thanks, Petra, I really need that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries se, CC BY-SA 4.0.
