calma
“calma” means “calm” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
calm, calmness, quiet
Also: lull
📝 In Action
Respira profundo y busca la calma.
A2Take a deep breath and find your calm.
Me encanta la calma del mar por la mañana.
B1I love the calm of the sea in the morning.
Después de la discusión, hubo una calma tensa en la habitación.
B2After the argument, there was a tense quiet in the room.
he/she/it calms, you calm
Also: calm down!
📝 In Action
¡Calma! No hay por qué gritar.
A2Calm down! There's no reason to shout.
Mi padre siempre me calma cuando estoy nervioso.
B1My father always calms me down when I'm nervous.
Usted calma a los inversores con su confianza.
B2You (formal) calm the investors with your confidence.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
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Quick Quiz: calma
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'calma' as a noun, meaning 'calmness'?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from Late Latin 'cauma', meaning 'the heat of the midday sun'. This was the hottest part of the day when people would rest, so the word's meaning shifted from 'heat' to the 'stillness' and 'quiet' of that resting period.
First recorded: Around the 13th century.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'calma' and 'tranquilo'?
Great question! 'Calma' is a noun, the *feeling* or *state* of calmness ('la calma'). 'Tranquilo' is an adjective, a word you use to *describe* someone or something as being calm ('él está tranquilo', 'un lugar tranquilo').
Can I say 'Cálmate' instead of '¡Calma!'?
Yes, absolutely! Both are commands telling someone to calm down. 'Cálmate' is very common and might feel a bit more direct. '¡Calma!' is a little softer, like saying 'Easy now' or 'Settle down'.