Translation guide
The state of being calm and in control of one's emotions, especially in difficult situations. Japanese expresses this through nouns, verbs, and idiomatic phrases that emphasize maintaining a calm mind or demeanor.
Describing a state of being calm, collected, and not easily upset.
The most common and versatile noun for composure, calmness, or presence of mind. Can refer to a person's demeanor or a general atmosphere.
彼はいつも落ち着きがある。
He always has composure.
落ち着きを失わないでください。
Please don't lose your composure.
Emphasizes cool-headedness and rational calm, often in stressful or emotional situations. Used as a noun or na-adjective.
冷静さを保つことが大切だ。
It's important to keep your composure.
彼女はとても冷静だ。
She is very composed.
A more formal or literary term for imperturbable composure. Often used in written language or formal speech.
彼は沈着な態度で答えた。
He answered with composure.
Expressing the action of calming down or collecting oneself after emotional disturbance.
Verb meaning to calm down, settle down, or regain composure. Very common in daily conversation.
まずは落ち着いてください。
First, please calm down (regain your composure).
彼は深呼吸して落ち着いた。
He took a deep breath and composed himself.
To calm one's heart/mind; a more introspective or literary way to express regaining inner composure.
彼女は目を閉じて心を静めた。
She closed her eyes and composed her mind.
Staying calm and collected in challenging or high-stakes situations.
To be unshaken, unperturbed. Often used to describe someone who remains composed no matter what happens.
彼はどんな時でも動じない。
He never loses his composure, no matter what.
To not panic or get flustered; to keep one's cool. Common in spoken Japanese.
緊急時でも慌てないように訓練している。
We train to keep our composure even in emergencies.
Describing a calm, unruffled appearance or expression.
A calm, composed face; looking unperturbed. Often used when someone should be embarrassed or upset but isn't.
彼は叱られても平然とした顔をしていた。
He kept a composed face even when scolded.
Literally 'cool face', meaning an unconcerned or composed look, often implying nonchalance.
彼女は大失敗したのに涼しい顔をしている。
She's acting composed despite her big mistake.
落ち着き (ochitsuki) is a general state of calmness, often associated with personality or atmosphere. 冷静 (reisei) specifically refers to cool-headed rationality, often in decision-making or emergencies. You can say 冷静な判断 (reisei na handan, 'calm judgment') but not 落ち着きな判断.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'composure'. Translating it directly as 沈着 (chinchaku) may sound overly formal or literary in casual contexts. Use 落ち着き or 冷静 for most situations.
Literally 'to retake one's spirit', meaning to pull oneself together or regain composure after a setback or emotional moment.
失敗したけど、気を取り直して頑張ります。
I failed, but I'll pull myself together and keep trying.
A four-character idiom meaning absolute composure and presence of mind, like a sage. Very formal and literary.
彼は泰然自若として試合に臨んだ。
He faced the match with complete composure.