calmer/kalm/
verb · A2 · Frequency 651
verb
Meanings
to calm, pacify, soothe
A transitive verb meaning to make a person or thing calm or less intense.
to calm down, abate, subside
An intransitive verb referring to the subsiding or lessening of emotions or conditions.
Examples
Le professeur calme les élèves avant le contrôle.
The teacher calms the students before the test.
Une voix douce calme rapidement le bébé.
A gentle voice quickly soothes the baby.
Cette musique calme mon anxiété avant le départ.
This music calms my anxiety before departure.
Collocations
- calmer les espritsto calm tempers; to soothe passions
Common mistakes
Je calme après le travail.
Je me calme après le travail.
When calmer means “to calm down,” it must be used reflexively as se calmer, so the first-person form requires me.
Related words
synonymapaiserto mollify; to appease, pacify, calm
Grammar note
Calmer is an essential pronominal verb and must be used with the appropriate reflexive pronoun.