tranquízate
/tɾankiθate/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for relax is tranquízate.
The phrase is used to tell someone to rest and become relieved of stress. While it can mean to relax, it is often used more specifically when telling someone to calm down or to stop worrying.
Meaning: (intransitive) to rest and become relieved of stress (verb)
Which one should you use?
While relájate is a direct cognate of the English word relax, tranquízate is frequently used when the intent is to tell someone to calm down or stop their worrying.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form tranquízate is used in informal situations. Other informal options include relájate, Tómate un respiro and Descansa un rato.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the informal expression Tranquilo/a is used to say relax. In Spain, Estate tranquilo/a is used to mean stay calm or keep calm. In South American countries like Argentina or Colombia, Cálmate is used to mean calm down.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾankiθate/
Did you know?
- Using tranquilo as a one-word command can sometimes sound patronizing or dismissive in Spanish, depending on your tone, much like telling someone in English to 'just relax'.
- The word tranquilo is a direct relative of the English word 'tranquil', though in Spanish it is used as a common everyday command while 'tranquil' is rarely used as a verb in English.
- If you are in Mexico and someone says tranqui to you, they are using a very common, slangy shortening of tranquilo to tell you to chill out.
Examples in context
- Relájese, todo estará bienRelax, everything will be fine
- Amigo, descansa un pocoFriend, rest a little
- Relájate, todo va a estar bienRelax, everything is going to be alright
- Amigo, tómate un respiroFriend, take a breather
- Relájate, descansa un ratoRelax, rest for a while
- Tranquízate, todo va a salir bien.Relax, everything is going to be fine.
- Solo tranquízate y respira profundo.Just relax and breathe deeply.
Example conversation
Javier notices María is very nervous about an upcoming exam.
- JavierEstás muy nerviosa por el examen.You are very nervous about the exam.
- MaríaSí, tengo mucho miedo de fallar.Yes, I am very afraid of failing.
- JavierTranquízate, María, tú eres muy inteligente.Relax, María, you are very intelligent.
- MaríaGracias, Javier, trataré de calmarme.Thanks, Javier, I will try to calm down.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
