Translation guide
The state of being peaceful, quiet, and free from agitation or strong emotion. This guide covers how to express calmness in Japanese, from inner tranquility to composed behavior and serene environments.
Describing a person's mental state of being calm, serene, and untroubled.
The most common word for a calm, composed state of mind, especially in situations where one might otherwise get upset. Often used in the phrase 冷静になる (to calm down).
彼はいつも冷静だ。
He is always calm.
冷静になって考えよう。
Let's calm down and think.
Refers to composure, presence of mind, and a settled, calm demeanor. Often used for someone who is naturally calm or has regained composure.
彼女は落ち着きがある。
She has a calm demeanor.
落ち着きを取り戻す。
To regain one's composure.
A more formal or literary term for calmness and serenity of mind. Often used in writing or formal speech.
彼は平静を保った。
He kept his calm.
Literally 'peace of mind', a more philosophical or spiritual term for inner tranquility.
瞑想は心の平穏をもたらす。
Meditation brings peace of mind.
Describing a place, situation, or atmosphere that is peaceful, quiet, and free from disturbance.
The most common adjective for a quiet, calm environment. Can also describe a person's quiet demeanor.
Describes a gentle, mild, and calm state, often used for weather, sea, or a person's personality.
Evokes a peaceful, tranquil, and idyllic scene, often used for countryside or spring days. Has a poetic nuance.
Staying calm and collected when facing a crisis, emergency, or stressful situation.
Means calm and unruffled, especially in emergencies. Often used in the compound 冷静沈着 (cool and collected).
彼は沈着に行動した。
He acted calmly/composedly.
Literally 'not shaken', meaning unflappable, not easily perturbed. Often used as 動じない人 (a person who doesn't get flustered).
彼は何があっても動じない。
He remains calm no matter what happens.
Means 'not panic' or 'not get flustered'. A common way to say someone stays calm in a situation.
緊急時でも慌てないでください。
Please remain calm even in an emergency.
Describing a period or situation that is uneventful, slow, or without much happening.
Means peaceful, quiet, and uneventful. Often used for daily life or a period without trouble.
平穏な日々を過ごす。
To spend calm/peaceful days.
Specifically refers to a lull or calm in the wind or sea. Can be used metaphorically for a quiet period.
海は凪だった。
The sea was calm.
冷静 (reisei) emphasizes a cool-headed, rational state, often in contrast to emotional upset. 落ち着き (ochitsuki) refers more to a settled, composed demeanor or atmosphere. You can say 冷静な判断 (calm judgment) but not 落ち着きな判断. Conversely, 落ち着きのある人 (a person with composure) is natural, while 冷静のある人 is not.
The English phrase 'calm down' is usually translated as 落ち着いて (ochitsuite) or 冷静になって (reisei ni natte), not a noun form. This guide focuses on the noun 'calmness'.
今日は天気が穏やかだ。
The weather is calm today.
穏やかな性格
a calm/gentle personality
a calm, idyllic rural landscape