relájate
reh-LAH-hah-teh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Estás muy estresado, relájate un poco.
A2You are very stressed, relax a little bit.
¡Relájate! No hay prisa para terminar el trabajo.
A1Take it easy! There's no rush to finish the work.
Siéntate en el sofá y relájate. Yo me encargo de la cena.
B1Sit on the couch and relax. I'll take care of dinner.
💡 Grammar Points
A Command Word
This word is an affirmative command (telling someone what to do) directed at 'tú' (you, informal). The base command is 'relaja', and the 'te' is attached to show the action is done to oneself.
Reflexive Pronoun Attachment
In affirmative commands like this, the little word 'te' (meaning 'yourself') must be glued to the end of the verb. In other verb forms, like 'I relax,' the 'me' comes before the verb ('me relajo').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Misplaced Pronoun
Mistake: "Te relaja."
Correction: Relájate.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Friends
Since 'relájate' uses the 'tú' form, save it for friends, family, or people you know well. If you are speaking to an elder, a boss, or someone formally, use the command 'relájese'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: relájate
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses the formal command form of 'relax'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'relájate' have an accent mark?
The accent mark is needed to keep the stress on the correct syllable. The basic command 'relaja' is stressed on the second-to-last syllable (la-JA-ha). When you add the pronoun 'te,' the word becomes three syllables longer (re-LA-ja-te). The accent mark forces the stress to stay where it was originally, on the 'lá' syllable.
What is the difference between 'relájate' and 'relajar'?
'Relajar' is the base verb (the infinitive, meaning 'to relax' generally). 'Relájate' is a specific, direct command telling one person to relax right now.