リラックスして
rirakkusu shite
The Japanese phrase for 'relax' is リラックスして (rirakkusu shite).
Meaning: (intransitive) to rest and become relieved of stress (verb)
Which one should you use?
While リラックスして functions as a casual way to tell someone to relax, the dictionary form of the verb is リラックスする.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form リラックスして is informal and can be used as a casual command. For a more polite request, you should say リラックスしてください. In formal situations where you want to tell someone to make themselves comfortable, use おくつろぎください or use お休みください to say 'Please rest'. For an informal way to express 'taking it easy', you can use のんびりする.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the casual リラックスして into a polite command or request, add ください to the end to form リラックスしてください.
How do you pronounce it?
rirakkusu shite
Did you know?
- While リラックスして is a command to relax, in Japanese culture, people often express the need to relax by saying they are 'tired' つかれた, as requesting relaxation directly can seem demanding.
- In Japanese, the concept of relaxing is often linked to 'blank space' or 'margins' called ゆとり. A person who is relaxed is said to have ゆとり in their heart or schedule.
- If you tell a superior to リラックスして, it can sound quite rude because it implies they are being too tense or 'stiff', which can be a sensitive social observation.
Examples in context
- リラックスして。Relax.This sentence is useful for giving a direct command to relax.Tatoeba #5955900 by tatoebane, translation #1722133 by shanghainese
- リラックスしていいよ。You can relax.This sentence shows how to give permission to relax.Tatoeba #7554272 by Ninja, translation #2254938 by CK
- 深呼吸してリラックスして下さい。Take a deep breath and relax.This sentence demonstrates combining a deep breath with a request to relax.Tatoeba #2129982 by bunbuku, translation #1860588 by CK
- 今日は何もしないで、のんびりしようよ。Let's take it easy and do nothing today.
Example conversation
Ren is feeling nervous before a big presentation at work.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮くん、そんなに緊張しないで、もっとリラックスして。Ren-kun, sonna ni kinchou shinaide, motto rirakkusu shite.Ren, don't be so nervous, just relax more.
- 蓮 Renありがとう、陽葵さん。でも、なかなか難しいよ。Arigatou, Himari-san. Demo, nakanaka muzukashii yo.Thanks, Himari. But it's actually quite difficult.
- 陽葵 Himariまずは温かいお茶を飲んで、リラックスして。Mazu wa atatakai ocha o nonde, rirakkusu shite.First, drink some warm tea and relax.
- 蓮 Renそうだね、少し落ち着いてみるよ。Sou dane, sukoshi ochitsuite miru yo.You're right, I'll try to calm down a bit.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
