Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| se détendre | |
| se relaxer | /sə ʁ(ə).lak.se/ |
The verb se détendre is the most common and neutral way to express the idea of relaxing in French. If you are looking to describe taking a break or getting some rest, you can use the phrase prendre du repos. For a more informal way to say you are unwinding or decompressing, you might use décompresser.
What does it mean word for word?
The reflexive form se détendre is composed of the reflexive pronoun se and the verb détendre, which literally means to loosen or to unbind.
Which one should you use?
Se détendre is the traditional and most common term. In contrast, se relaxer is a more modern form that borrows from English or Latin roots. It often emphasizes the specific act of relaxing and can sometimes feel more clinical or specific to physical relaxation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun related to the verb se détendre is la détente, which refers to relaxation, the easing of tension or even political détente. While se détendre is the standard choice, se relaxer is a direct alternative used to emphasize the act of relaxation itself.
Did you know?
- The word détendre is used to describe the action of releasing a trigger on a gun, meaning the 'relaxation' is actually a mechanical release.
- The term la détente entered the English language specifically to describe the easing of Cold War tensions between the US and USSR.
- The verb se détendre shares its literal roots with the word for 'stretching' or 'extending', meaning you are essentially 'un-stretching' your muscles or tensions.
Examples in context
- Laisse Tom se détendre.Let Tom relax.This sentence uses se détendre to show someone being allowed to relax.Tatoeba #9254421 by Micsmithel, translation #2235857 by CK
- Il l'aide à se relaxer.He helps her relax.This sentence uses se relaxer to show someone being helped to relax.Tatoeba #12141240 by always, translation #11739987 by Amastan
- Il a juste besoin de se détendre.He just needs to relax.This sentence uses se détendre to express a person's need to relax.Tatoeba #8660020 by Julien_PDC, translation #13318883 by frasersanders
- Je vais me détendre ce soirI am going to relax this evening
- Il est important de se relaxer après une longue journée de travailIt is important to relax after a long day of work
- Je vais prendre du repos ce week-endI am going to take a break this weekend
- On va chill aujourd'huiWe are going to relax today
- J'ai besoin de décompresser après cette semaine chargéeI need to unwind after this busy week
- J'adore kiffer et me détendre à la plageI love to relax and chill at the beach
- Laisse-toi aller et décontracte-toi un peuLet go and relax a bit
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “relax” translations and entries se relaxer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
