What does it mean word for word?
The word reste is the imperative form of the verb rester, meaning "to stay" or "to remain" and calme is an adjective meaning "calm" or "peaceful".
Which one should you use?
The form reste calme is used for a single person in an informal context. If you are addressing a group of people using the formal vous, you should use restez calmes to ensure the adjective is also plural.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form reste calme is the singular imperative used when addressing one person informally (tu). The form restez calme is used when addressing more than one person or when using the formal vous to address a single person. When addressing a group of people using vous, the adjective must also be pluralized as in restez calmes.
Did you know?
- While reste calme is a direct translation, French speakers often use the expression garde ton sang-froid, which literally means 'keep your cold blood'.
- The word calme actually traces back to the Ancient Greek word kaûma, which refers to 'burning heat'.
- If a French person says calme-toi, they are using a reflexive form that is much more common in daily conversation than the literal reste calme.
Examples in context
- Reste calme quoiqu'il arrive.Stay calm whatever happens.This sentence is useful for showing how to stay calm regardless of the circumstances using reste calme.Tatoeba #891000 by U2FS, translation #36784 by U2FS
- Reste calme et fais de ton mieux !Stay calm, and do your best.This sentence provides an example of combining the instruction to stay calm with an encouragement to do one's best using reste calme.Tatoeba #833843 by sacredceltic, translation #268185 by CM
- Reste calme.Stay calm.This sentence is a simple, direct way to say the phrase using reste calme.Tatoeba #795728 by U2FS, translation #788304 by hrin
- Restez calme, Monsieur.Stay calm, sir.
- Monsieur, restez calme, s'il vous plaît,Sir, please stay calm,
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel is panicking about a presentation while Chloé tries to soothe him.
- ChloéGabriel, s'il te plaît, reste calme.Gabriel, please, stay calm.
- GabrielC'est trop difficile, je ne peux pas.It's too difficult, I can't do it.
- ChloéTu as bien préparé ton sujet.You have prepared your topic well.
- GabrielMerci Chloé, je vais essayer.Thanks Chloé, I will try.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calme, reste, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
