If you’re learning Spanish, it’s very likely that at some point you may need to tell someone to calm down. As you may imagine, in Spanish, there are different words and phrases that you can use to do this.
So how do you say calm down in Spanish? Depending on the Spanish speaking country and the situation you are, there are different expressions you can use to say calm down:
All of these expressions are used to say ‘calm down’ in Spanish. In the following sections, we included some examples as well as descriptions of when, where and how to use each of these Spanish words.
Make sure you read them so you find your best option. By the end of this, you’ll have 9 different and popular ways to say ‘calm down’ in Spanish.
1. Sereno moreno – Take it easy / Calm down
Sereno moreno is a casual, funny and playful expression that people use to calm someone else down. Thanks to its rhyme it doesn’t sound aggressive or pushy like other expressions. Sereno moreno doesn’t have a direct translation in English, but it’s closer in meaning to ‘take it easy’ or ‘calm down’. This expression is popular in:
- Colombia
- Mexico
- Peru
- Ecuador
¿Por qué estás tan nervioso? ¡Sereno moreno!
Why are you nervous? Calm down, man!
¡Serena morena! No hay necesidad de que grites
Take it easy, girl! There’s no need for you to yell
Sólo llegué cinco minutos tarde, ¡sereno moreno!
I’m just five minutes late, take it easy, man!
Take Note: ‘Sereno moreno’ is used when talking to a man and ‘serena morena’ when addressing a woman.
2. Cálmate – Calm down
Cálmate is the direct translation of ‘calm down’. As a result, this expression is the most common and standard way to ask people to calm down. ‘Cálmate’ is referring to ‘tú’ (informal ‘you’), so you would use ‘cálmese’ if you’re using ‘usted’.
¡Cálmate, por favor! Estás muy alterado
Calm down, please! You’re very upset
A ver, cálmate y escúchame, por favor
Okay, calm down and listen to me, please
¿Por qué lloras? Cálmate y dime qué pasó
Why are you crying? Calm down and tell me what happened
Notice that ‘cálmate’ is conjugated in the imperative form. So if you want to use this verb with other tenses, you need to pay attention to the reflexive pronoun.
¿Si te calmas, por favor?
Can you calm down, please?
Related Resource: Where to Place Reflexive Pronouns in Spanish
Take Note: ‘Cálmate’ can also be used in other contexts to show disbelief or incredulity about a statement. This is a very casual use of ‘cálmate’ and, in this case’, it’s closer in meaning to ‘are you kidding?’ or ‘shut up’. Remember that the meaning is determined by the context.
3. Relájate – Chill / Relax
In Spanish, ‘relájate’ is another standard and popular word that you can use to say ‘calm down’. ‘Rélajate’ can be either translated as:
- Relax
- Chill
- Calm down
Keep in mind that ‘relájate’ is the imperative form of ‘relajarse’. As a result, if you want to address this word to someone else rather than ‘tú’, you need to change the conjugation:
[Relajarse conjugated imperative form]
¡Rélajate! Sólo te quería ayudar
Chill! I just wanted to help
Mario, rélajate, Eduardo estaba bromeando
Mario, relax, Eduardo was joking around
¡Chicas! ¡Relajánse! Gritando no vamos a resolver nada
Girls! Calm down! Yelling is not going to fix anything
4. ¡Bájale! – Calm down / Simmer down
Bájale is an informal Mexican word that means ‘calm down’ or ‘simmer down’. This expression is used mainly when someone’s attitude or opinions are way out of line. ‘Bájale’ is more aggressive than other phrases from this list because it expresses a lot of frustration. As a result, we only use it when we’re fed up with someone.
Bájale, yo no te estoy hablando así
Calm down, I’m not talking to you like this
¡Mariana, bájale! No sabes lo que estás diciendo
Mariana, simmer down! You don’t know what you’re saying
¡Ya bájenle! Van a acabar peleándose
Calm down now! You’re going to end up fighting each other
Here are other variations of ‘bájale’. Keep in mind that these new phrases also mean ‘calm down’ or ‘simmer down’.
Variations:
- México: Bájale a tu tren / Bájale dos rayitas
- Chile : baja las revoluciones
- Argentina: baja los decibeles / baja un cambio
- Venezuela: bájale dos
5. Tómatelo con calma – Take it easy / Calm down
Tómatelo con calma is a very polite way to tell someone to calm down in Spanish. This expression is the direct translation of ‘take it easy’, but it can also be translated as ‘calm down’. Usually, this phrase is applied when you’re trying to soothe a stressed person.
¡Tómatelo con calma! No tienes nada que perder
Take it easy! You have nothing to lose!
¿En serio te enojaste? Tómatelo con calma, sólo te quiero ayudar
Are you really upset? Take it easy, I just want to help
¿Por qué estás tan estresada? Tómatelo con calma, todavía tienes tiempo
Why are you so stressed? Calm down, you still have time
Take Note: You can also use this expression with other tenses to calm someone down. Make sure you place the pronoun in the right place.
Yo digo que te lo tomes con calma y hables con tu jefe
I think you should take it easy and talk to your boss
Related Resource: Placing Reflexive Pronouns in Spanish
6. Tranquílizate – Calm down / Cool off
Tranquílizate is another polite and standard way to calm someone down. On top of being able to use this expression in all Spanish speaking countries, you can also use ‘tranquílizate’ in formal and informal situations. Usually, this verb is applied when someone is losing control over their emotions.
‘Tranquílizate’ can be translated either as ‘take it easy’, ‘cool off’ or simply ‘calm down’. Remember that if you want to use this word with other people, you need to follow this structure:
[Tranquilizarse conjugated in imperative form]
¡Tranquilízate! ¡Fue una broma!
Take it easy! It was a joke!
¿Están todos bien? ¡Tranquilícense!
Is everybody okay? Calm down!
Tu hermano estaba jugando, así que ya tranquilízate
Your brother was playing around, so cool off!
Tranquilízate, no puedo entender lo que me estás diciendo
Calm down, I can’t understand what you’re saying to me
7. Calmantes montes – Chill / Take it easy
In Mexico, calmantes montes is another popular and informal expression that speakers use to calm someone down. Just like ‘sereno moreno’, calmantes montes is a very playful and nice way to ask people to ‘calm down’. This expression means ‘chill’, ‘take it easy’ or ‘simply calm down’. Since it’s an informal expression, make sure you use ‘calmantes montes’ in the proper context.
¡Calmantes montes, morros! ¡Ahorita nos vamos!
Take it easy, boys! We’ll leave in a few!
Me estás poniendo nerviosa, ¡calmantes montes!
You’re making me nervous, chill!
¿Por qué estás estresada? ¡Calmantes montes!
Why are you stressed? Take it easy!
Take Note: ‘Calmantes montes’ is the short version of ‘calmantes montes, pájaros cantantes, alicantes pintos’ which is a super long, informal Mexican expression to say ‘take it easy’. ‘Calmantes montes’ is very popular, but don’t be surprised if you hear Mexican speakers use the long version because we love it! 🙂
8. Serénate – Settle down / Calm down
Serénate is the most formal expression from this list to say ‘calm down’. ‘Serénate’ is the direct translation of ‘settle down’ or ‘calm down’ and it’s usually applied in formal contexts such as movies, news, writing samples and formal conversations.
Respira y serénate, todo va a estar bien
Breathe and settle down, everything is going to be okay
Mamá, por favor, serénate, los invitados te están viendo
Mom, settle down, please, the guest are watching you
No entiendo por qué estás tan enojado, pero serénate, por favor
I don’t understand why are you so upset, but calm down, please
Take Note: Even though it’s quite formal, serénate is quite popular in formal situations, just make sure you don’t use it among your friends.
9. Calma – Calm down
In Spanish, calma is another polite way to ask a person to calm down. Since ‘calma’ is a noun, you don’t need to add any pronouns to it, you just need to incorporate it into your sentences. ‘Calma’ is mainly applied when asking people to soothe their mood or emotions. As a result, in this context, it’s translated as ‘calm down’.
Por favor, señores, calma
Gentleman, please, calm down
¡Calma! No hay necesidad de que te estreses
Calm down! There’s no need for you to stress
¿Por qué estás tan apurada? Calma, toda va a ir bien
Why are you in such a hurry? Calm down, everything is going to be okay
Wrapping Up
Learning how to express yourself in Spanish will not only help you speak your mind, but it will also strengthen your command of Spanish. For that reason, in this list, we compiled 9 popular ways to say ‘calm down’ in Spanish.
Some of these phrases may just be popular in specific Spanish speaking countries, as a result, make sure you read the descriptions carefully so you are just the best option for your situation.
Now, you’re ready to go out there and start applying these phrases and if you’re a bit nervous, remember: calmantes montes 😉