Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Calm" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "calm", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
落ち着く
おちつく (ochitsuku)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
おちつく
おちつく (ochitsuku)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "calm" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 落ち着く and おちつく.
In Japanese, 落ち着く (おちつく (ochitsuku)) is typically associated with "to calm down, to settle down, to compose oneself" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Used for both people's emotions calming down and situations becoming stable. Also used for finding a permanent place to live or work.
On the other hand, おちつく (おちつく (ochitsuku)) maps to "to calm down; to settle down; to feel at home" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Used when a person or situation becomes calm or stable. Can also mean to feel relaxed and at home in a new place.. A literal translation of "calm" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "落ち着く"
深呼吸して落ち着いてください。
Please take a deep breath and calm down.
Bilingual Context for "おちつく"
緊張していたが、深呼吸をして落ち着いた。
I was nervous, but I took a deep breath and calmed down.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "深呼吸して落ち着いてください。" (Meaning: "Please take a deep breath and calm down.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "落ち着く" fits here because it means "to calm down, to settle down, to compose oneself" in the context of: "Please take a deep breath and calm down.". "おちつく" represents "to calm down; to settle down; to feel at home".