German · Emotions & Descriptions

"Calm" in German: ruhig

ruhig

Say it: ROO-ikhadjective/ˈʁuːɪç/

Calm in German is ruhig. Say Bleib ruhig for stay calm, and hier ist es ruhig for a quiet place. Soft related noun is die Ruhe.

Before a talk

Atme tief durch und bleib ruhig.
Breathe deeply and stay calm.
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How to pronounce ruhig

Say it

ROO-ikh

/ˈʁuːɪç/

ROO-ikh. Long u, soft ich-sound at the end.

"Calm" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
ruhigcalm / quiet

Core adjective.

Bleib ruhigstay calm

Reassurance.

die Ruhecalm / quiet

Noun.

beruhigento calm (someone)

Related verb.

How to use ruhig in real life

  1. 1Before a talk

    Atme tief durch und bleib ruhig.

    Breathe deeply and stay calm.

    Bleib ruhig.

  2. 2Apartment hunt

    Die Straße ist nachts relativ ruhig.

    The street is relatively quiet at night.

    Ruhig for quiet.

  3. 3Parenting

    Sprich ruhig mit dem Kind, nicht laut.

    Speak calmly with the child, not loudly.

    Ruhig as manner.

Mistakes English speakers make with ruhig

Incorrect: Ich bin Ruhe.

Correct: Ich bin ruhig. / Ich habe Ruhe.

Ruhig is the adjective; Ruhe is the noun.

Incorrect: Sei calm.

Correct: Sei ruhig. / Bleib ruhig.

Use ruhig.

Good to know

Ruhe bitte is classic German public soft power—in trains, libraries, stairwells. Ruhig can mean calm or simply not loud, depending on tone.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Settling nerves before an interview

  1. ChatPal

    Du wirkst schon ruhig.

    You already seem calm.

  2. You

    Ich versuche, ruhig zu bleiben.

    I'm trying to stay calm.

  3. ChatPal

    Gut. Eine ruhige Stimme hilft.

    Good. A calm voice helps.

  4. You

    Danke. Mit dir bleibe ich ruhig.

    Thanks. With you I stay calm.

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"Calm" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Calm" in German

Calm person vs quiet place?

Same adjective ruhig; context decides.

How do you say stay calm?

Bleib ruhig.

What is the noun?

Die Ruhe.

How do endings work?

Ein ruhiger Tag, eine ruhige Nacht, ein ruhiges Zimmer.

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