cálmate
CALL-mah-teh
Quick Reference
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
A Command, Not Just a Verb
This word is the informal, positive command form (the 'tú' form) of the verb 'calmarse' (to calm oneself).
The Attached Pronoun
The little word 'te' is attached to the end. This is the reflexive pronoun, meaning the action of calming is directed back to 'you' (the person you are talking to).
Why the Accent Mark?
When you attach pronouns like 'te' to a command, the original stress of the verb moves back two syllables, which means you need a written accent mark (tilda) to tell you where to put the vocal stress: CÁL-ma-te.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Accent
Mistake: "Calmate (without the accent)"
Correction: Cálmate. Without the accent, the stress would fall incorrectly on the second syllable: cal-MA-te, which is grammatically wrong for a command.
Using it Formally
Mistake: "Using 'cálmate' when speaking to your boss or an elderly person."
Correction: Use the formal command 'cálmese' instead. 'Cálmate' is only for friends, family, or children.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Opposite Command
If you want to tell someone NOT to calm down (negative command), the word order changes: 'No te calmes'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cálmate
Question 1 of 2
Which of these is the correct formal command (Usted) meaning 'Calm down'?
📚 More Resources
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.