Entspannt

Entspannt is an adjective in German that denotes a state of being relaxed, calm, or at ease. It can describe people, situations, or atmospheres. For example, "Er wirkt entspannt" refers to a person who appears relaxed, while "eine entspannte Stimmung" describes a relaxed mood.

Grammar and usage notes: entspannt can be used predicatively after sein (Die Lage ist entspannt) or attributively before a noun with appropriate endings (eine entspannte Atmosphäre, entspannte Gäste). It is commonly used in everyday speech as well as in writing. The form entspannt also appears as the past participle of the verb entspannen (to relax), e.g., "Ich habe mich entspannt" or "Sie hat sich entspannt," depending on construction.

Etymology and related terms: entspannt derives from the verb entspannen, which combines ent- with spannen (to tense). The prefix ent- together with spannen creates the sense of removing tension. Related terms include ruhig (calm), gelassen (composed, untroubled), and locker (colloquially relaxed). In colloquial speech, entspannt may carry a more personal, social sense of ease, as in "Das war eine entspannte Begegnung."

Usage notes: entspannt contrasts with more intense notions of tension or stress. While similar to ruhig, entspannt emphasizes personal ease or a lack of pressure, and can describe both people and environments. It is widely understood across German-speaking regions and is common in media, everyday conversation, and informal writing.