Translation guide
How to tell someone to calm down, or describe becoming calm, in natural Japanese. Covers soothing others, self-calming, and describing a calm state.
The speaker wants to calm another person who is upset, angry, or agitated.
The most common and natural way to say 'calm down' to someone. It's the te-form of 落ち着く (to calm down/settle). Used in everyday situations.
落ち着いて、何があったの？
Calm down, what happened?
Let's calm down and talk.
The imperative form of 落ち着く. More direct and forceful than 落ち着いて. Used in urgent situations or by someone in authority. Can sound rough if used inappropriately.
落ち着け！大丈夫だ。
Calm down! It's okay.
Polite version of 落ち着いて. Use with strangers, superiors, or in formal situations.
お客様、落ち着いてください。
Sir/Ma'am, please calm down.
An interjection used to soothe someone, like 'now, now' or 'there, there'. Often accompanied by a calming gesture.
まあまあ、そんなに怒らないで。
Now, now, don't get so angry.
Describing the process of one's own emotions settling down.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to calm down', 'to settle down', or 'to become composed'. Used for emotions, situations, or physical settling.
深呼吸したら落ち着いた。
I calmed down after taking a deep breath.
彼はいつも落ち着いている。
He is always calm.
Literally 'one's feelings calm down'. Emphasizes emotional state.
温かいお茶を飲むと気持ちが落ち着く。
Drinking warm tea calms me down.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to become quiet' or 'to subside'. Used for noise, excitement, or pain, but can also apply to emotions.
Actively making someone or something calm.
Transitive verb meaning 'to calm (someone) down'. The causative form of 落ち着く.
彼女を落ち着かせようとした。
I tried to calm her down.
子供たちを落ち着かせるのは大変だ。
It's hard to calm the children down.
To soothe or pacify someone who is upset or angry, often with gentle words.
Transitive verb meaning 'to quiet' or 'to calm'. Used for noise, excitement, or emotions.
Telling oneself to calm down internally.
A common self-directed phrase meaning 'Calm down, me.' Used when trying to compose oneself.
落ち着け、自分。大丈夫だから。
Calm down, me. It's okay.
Literally 'Let's take a deep breath.' Often used as a self-calming strategy.
緊張してきた。深呼吸しよう。
I'm getting nervous. Let's take a deep breath.
The English phrase 'calm down' can sound condescending if translated too directly. 落ち着いて is generally safe, but 落ち着け can be rude if used with someone of higher status. In polite contexts, use 落ち着いてください or rephrase to a suggestion like 少し休みませんか (Shall we take a break?).
落ち着く is the default for emotional calming. 静まる is more about noise or external agitation subsiding. Using 静まる for a person's emotions sounds literary or old-fashioned.
心が静まるのを待った。
I waited for my heart to calm down.
泣いている赤ちゃんをなだめる。
Soothe a crying baby.
騒ぎを静める。
Calm the commotion.