cálmese
KAHL-meh-seh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Señora López, por favor, cálmese. No hay necesidad de gritar.
A2Mrs. López, please, calm down. There is no need to shout.
Cálmese un momento y piense antes de tomar una decisión.
B1Calm yourself for a moment and think before making a decision.
Si el niño no para de llorar, dígale: 'Cálmese, todo está bien'.
B2If the child doesn't stop crying, tell him: 'Calm down, everything is fine.'
💡 Grammar Points
Command + Attached Pronoun
This word is two parts: the command form 'calme' and the pronoun 'se' (meaning 'yourself'). In positive commands, the pronoun is attached directly to the end of the verb.
Maintaining the Stress
The accent mark over the 'á' (cálmese) is essential. It tells you to keep the stress on the same syllable as the original verb form, even after the pronoun is added.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the base verb alone
Mistake: "Calme."
Correction: Cálmese.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'cálmese' when addressing someone formally (like a boss, a stranger, or an elder, using usted). If you are speaking to a friend or child, use the informal version: 'cálmate'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cálmese
Question 1 of 2
If you are talking to your close friend María, which command should you use?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'cálmese' have an accent mark?
The accent mark is necessary because when you attach the pronoun 'se' to the end of the command form ('calme'), the natural stress of the word would shift. The accent mark on the 'á' forces the stress to stay on the original syllable, keeping the pronunciation correct.
How do I make the negative command (Don't calm down)?
For negative commands, the pronoun moves *before* the verb and the verb changes slightly. The formal negative command is 'No se calme'.