tranquilizar
“tranquilizar” means “to calm down” in Spanish (making someone or something less agitated or angry).
to calm down
Also: to soothe, to reassure
📝 In Action
La madre intenta tranquilizar al bebé que llora.
A1The mother is trying to calm the crying baby.
Tus palabras me tranquilizan mucho, gracias.
A2Your words reassure me a lot, thank you.
El médico habló con la familia para tranquilizarla antes de la cirugía.
B1The doctor spoke with the family to reassure them before the surgery.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: tranquilizar
Question 1 of 3
Which is the correct 'yo' form in the preterite (past tense)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the Latin word 'tranquillus', which meant 'quiet' or 'still'. The Spanish suffix '-izar' was added to turn the adjective into an action verb meaning 'to make quiet'.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'tranquilizar' the same as 'calmar'?
Yes, they are very close synonyms. 'Tranquilizar' is often used when someone is worried or stressed, while 'calmar' is used for anger or physical agitation, but they are mostly interchangeable.
How do I tell someone to 'calm down'?
You usually use the reflexive command: 'Tranquilízate' (informal) or 'Tranquilícese' (formal).
Can I use it for objects?
It is mostly used for people, animals, or situations (like 'tranquilizar los ánimos'). You wouldn't use it for a stormy sea; for that, 'calmar' is better.