French · Emotions & Descriptions
"Calm down" in French: calme-toi
calme-toi
Calm down in French is calme-toi — reflexive imperative with toi. Use it gently with friends. Calmez-vous is the vous form.
Traffic panic
Doucement — calme-toi, on a le temps.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce calme-toi
Say it
kahlm-twah
/kalm twa/
Calme: kahlm. Toi: twah. Hyphen binds them: kahlm-twah.
"Calm down" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| calme-toi | calm down Default tu. | Default tu. |
| calme-toi un peu | calm down a bit Softer. | Softer. |
| calmez-vous | calm down (vous) Formal/plural. | Formal/plural. |
| respire, calme-toi | breathe, calm down Paired comfort. | Paired comfort. |
How to use calme-toi in real life
- 1Traffic panic
Doucement — calme-toi, on a le temps.
Easy—calm down, we have time.
Full phrase.
- 2Exam nerves
Calme-toi, tu as bien révisé.
Calm down, you revised well.
Encouragement.
- 3Kids arguing
Calme-toi et écoute ton frère.
Calm down and listen to your brother.
Parent tone.
Mistakes English speakers make with calme-toi
Incorrect: Calme toi sans trait.
Correct: Calme-toi.
Keep the hyphen: calme-toi.
Incorrect: Calme-te.
Correct: Calme-toi.
Imperative uses toi, not te.
Good to know
Calme-toi can sound sharp if barked; soften with doucement or un peu. With strangers or groups, prefer calmez-vous. Body language (open hands, lower voice) matters as much as the words.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Friend panics before a presentation
ChatPal
Calme-toi, tu es prêt.
Calm down, you're ready.
You
J'essaie. Dis encore calme-toi, ça aide.
I'm trying. Say calm down again—it helps.
ChatPal
D'accord : calme-toi et respire.
Okay: calm down and breathe.
You
Merci. J'y vais.
Thanks. I'm going in.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Calm down" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Calm down" in French
How do you say calm down in French?
Calme-toi.
Vous form?
Calmez-vous.
Why the hyphen?
Imperative + toi is hyphenated.
How do you pronounce calme?
kahlm.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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