calmate

Calmate is the Spanish-language imperative form derived from the verb calmar, meaning to calm. As a phrase, cálmate translates to “calm yourself” or, more commonly in English, “calm down.” In everyday use, it is a direct, informal instruction addressed to someone you know well.

Grammatical notes: cálmate is the second-person singular (tú) reflexive imperative form. The base verb is calmar, and the reflexive pronoun te is attached, producing cálmate. Other related forms include cálmense (ustedes), cálmense (formal ustedes), and calmémonos (nosotros), each conveying “calm down, please” in different subjects. In written Spanish, accents are important for correct pronunciation and meaning; however, in informal digital writing or environments that omit diacritics, you may see calmate without the accent.

Usage and nuance: cálmate is used to de-escalate emotions in conversations, as a direct appeal to self-control. It can appear in everyday dialogue, signs, or media. Regional tone can affect how forceful or affectionate the command sounds, with softer variants incorporating politeness or mitigating language when addressing strangers or elders.

Etymology and related forms: the term comes from calmar, meaning to calm, which shares roots with calm, calmness, and calmidad in Spanish. The noun calma means calm or stillness, and the verb forms extend that sense into imperatives.

In summary, cálmate is a common Spanish imperative for telling someone to calm down, with several polite or inclusive variants used in formal or group contexts.