cálmate
“cálmate” means “Calm down” in Spanish (Direct, informal command).
Calm down, RelaxAlso: Take it easy
📝 In Action
¡Cálmate! No llores, el autobús llegará pronto.
A1Calm down! Don't cry, the bus will arrive soon.
Por favor, respira hondo y cálmate. Todo está bien.
A2Please, take a deep breath and calm down. Everything is fine.
Sé que es frustrante, pero cálmate un poco antes de hablar con él.
B1I know it's frustrating, but calm down a little before talking to him.
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cálmate
Question 1 of 2
Which of these is the correct formal command (Usted) meaning 'Calm down'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology
The core verb *calmar* comes from the Late Latin word *calmare*, which is related to the idea of 'making the sea calm.' The added 'te' is an Old Spanish tradition of attaching the reflexive pronoun directly to the command.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (The root *calmar* is very old, while the structure of attached pronouns solidified in the late Middle Ages/Renaissance).
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'Tranquilo' instead of 'Cálmate'?
Yes, 'Tranquilo' (or 'Tranquila' if speaking to a female) is a very common and friendly way to tell someone to 'calm down' or 'relax.' It often feels slightly gentler than the direct command 'cálmate'.
Why does the accent mark disappear when I say 'No te calmes'?
The accent only appears when the pronoun (like 'te') is attached to the verb, as in 'cálmate.' When you make the command negative, the pronoun moves back in front of the verb ('No te calmes'), and the stress returns to its normal place on the main verb syllable, so no written accent is needed.