保持冷静
bǎochí lěngjìng
To stay calm in Mandarin is to say 保持冷静 (bǎochí lěngjìng).
The phrase is used to describe remaining peaceful and controlled in your emotions, particularly when facing stressful or difficult situations.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 保持冷静 is composed of 保持 (bǎochí), which means 'to maintain' or 'to keep' and 冷静 (lěngjìng), which means 'calm' or 'cool-headed'. Literally, it translates to 'maintain cool stillness'.
Which one should you use?
保持冷静 is a formal instruction to maintain composure. In contrast, if someone is becoming visibly upset or worked up, you might use the more colloquial phrase 别激动 (bié jīdòng), which means 'don't get excited' or 'don't get agitated'.
How do you pronounce it?
bǎochí lěngjìng
Did you know?
- While 保持冷静 is a command to stay calm, the related term 冷静期 (lěngjìng qī) refers to a legally mandated 'cooling-off period' for canceling contracts or divorces in China.
- In traditional Chinese medicine, the inability to 保持冷静 is often attributed to an excess of 'fire' in the heart or liver.
- If you are trying to tell a friend to 'calm down' because they are overly excited or hyper, you would often say 淡定 (dàndìng), a popular slang term that suggests a 'chill' or 'unfazed' attitude.
Examples in context
- 我们只须保持冷静。We just need to stay calm.This sentence is useful for expressing the necessity of using 保持冷静.Tatoeba #11294946 by jin1, translation #3185060 by CK
- 请保持镇静 ，我们会尽快解决问题。Please remain calm, we will solve the issue as soon as possible.
- 别慌 ，一切都会好的。Don't panic, everything will be fine.
- 遇到紧急情况，你要保持冷静。Yù dào jǐnjí qíngkuàng, nǐ yào bǎochí lěngjìng.In an emergency, you need to stay calm.
- 请在面试时保持冷静。Qǐng zài miànshì shí bǎochí lěngjìng.Please stay calm during the interview.
Example conversation
Rain (Yuting) and Junjie are in a crowded subway that suddenly stops moving.
- 雨婷 Yuting别担心，我们要保持冷静。Bié dānxīn, wǒmen yào bǎochí lěngjìng.Don't worry, we need to stay calm.
- 俊杰 Junjie可是，车子怎么不动了？Kěshì, chēzi zěnme bù dòng le?But why has the train stopped moving?
- 雨婷 Yuting俊杰，你保持冷静就好。Jùnjié, nǐ bǎochí lěngjìng jiù hǎo.Junjie, it's fine as long as you stay calm.
- 俊杰 Junjie好的，我尽量保持冷静。Hǎo de, wǒ jǐnliàng bǎochí lěngjìng.Okay, I will try my best to stay calm.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
