Translation guide
How to express the idea of things becoming quieter or people settling down in Japanese, depending on what is getting quiet and the context.
Describing a situation where noise, activity, or commotion gradually subsides.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to become quiet', 'to calm down'. Used for sounds, noise, or a general atmosphere.
The town quieted down at night.
After the storm passed, it completely quieted down outside.
Phrase meaning 'to become quiet'. More colloquial and versatile than 静まる.
The children went to sleep and the house quieted down.
The construction ended and it finally quieted down.
Similar to 静まる but often implies suppression of something more intense, like pain, turmoil, or a riot. Can be written with the same kana.
The disturbance quieted down.
Means 'to settle down', 'to come to an end'. Used for situations, disputes, or commotion returning to a calm state.
The commotion quieted down.
When a person or group stops making noise, talking, or being rowdy.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to become silent', 'to stop talking'. Focuses on the cessation of speech.
When the teacher came in, everyone quieted down.
Also used for people becoming quiet in terms of noise level.
The children quieted down.
Means 'to become quiet/gentle/obedient'. Often used for children or animals settling down.
The dog finally quieted down.
Direct commands or requests for silence.
Casual request: 'Be quiet.'
Quiet down!
Polite request: 'Please be quiet.'
Please quiet down in the library.
Blunt command: 'Shut up' or 'Be silent'. Can be rude.
Can sound harsh; use with care.
Quiet! (Shut up!)
Formal or polite way to ask for quiet, often used in announcements.
Please quiet down.
静まる is a single verb often used in written or slightly formal contexts. 静かになる is a phrase made of the adjective 静か and the verb なる, and is more common in everyday speech. Both mean 'to become quiet', but 静かになる is more versatile and natural for most daily situations.
静める (しずめる) is the transitive form meaning 'to quiet something/someone down'. The intransitive is 静まる. Make sure to use the correct one based on whether there is a direct object.
He suddenly quieted down (stopped talking).