A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Take it easy" in Spanish
A versatile Spanish phrase to tell someone to relax, calm down, or not worry.
Tómalo con calma
TOH-mah-loh kohn KAH-lmahneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this when someone is stressed, upset, or overreacting to a situation. It's also good for telling someone to take their time with a task or not to rush.
Alternatives
- TranquiloMore direct, often used when someone is visibly agitated.
- No te preocupesBest when reassuring someone not to worry about a specific problem.
Ways to get it wrong
Don't say 'Toma fácil'
'Fácil' means easy, but 'toma fácil' isn't a standard phrase for 'take it easy'.
Pronunciation of 'calma'
The 'l' in 'calma' is pronounced, unlike in some English words; say 'KAH-lmah'.
A small cultural note
This phrase is widely understood across Latin America and Spain, conveying a sense of patience and understanding.
When you'd actually say this
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Friend panicking before a job interview
You're sitting with your roommate at the kitchen table and he's rehearsing answers out loud for the third time in an hour, his voice getting faster and higher each time. You put your hand on his shoulder and say 'Tómalo con calma' — not to dismiss his nerves, but to slow the spiral before he walks out the door.
-
Driver frustrated in heavy traffic
You're in the passenger seat on a congested highway outside Mexico City, and the driver keeps honking and muttering under his breath at a truck that won't move. You glance over and say 'Tómalo con calma, ya llegamos' — the smell of exhaust coming through the vents, the dashboard clock ticking toward your appointment.
-
Colleague rushing a shared report
Your coworker is typing so fast she's making errors she'll have to fix later, and you can hear her sighing at the screen two desks away. You walk over and say 'Tómalo con calma, todavía tenemos tiempo' — the deadline is two hours out and the mistakes are piling up faster than the progress.
Related ways to say it in Spanish
- Cálmate — Calm down
- More direct and urgent than 'Tómalo con calma'; use when someone is already visibly upset or losing control, not just stressed — can sound sharp if the situation doesn't warrant it.
- Despacio, despacio — Slow down, slow down
- Focuses specifically on pace rather than emotional state; common when someone is rushing through a physical task or speaking too fast for you to follow.
- No hay prisa — There's no rush
- Reassures someone that time pressure isn't real or isn't as severe as they think; more situational than 'Tómalo con calma' and doesn't address emotional agitation.
- Échale ganas pero sin apurarte — Give it your best but don't rush
- Informal, heard more in Mexico; acknowledges effort while discouraging haste — better when you want to encourage someone rather than just tell them to slow down.
Notes for English speakers
- English speakers often want to say 'Tómalo fácil' as a word-for-word translation of 'take it easy,' but 'calma' (calm) is the word Spanish actually uses here — the phrase is closer in meaning to 'take it calmly' than to 'take it easily.'
- The pronoun 'lo' in 'Tómalo' refers to nothing specific — it's an impersonal object pronoun that English simply drops, so resist the urge to replace it with a noun or omit it entirely, as both will sound unnatural.
- In several South American countries, especially Argentina, you're more likely to hear 'Tomátelo con calma' with the reflexive 'te' added, which gives the phrase a slightly warmer, more personal tone — neither version is wrong, but swapping them in the wrong region can sound slightly off.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What's the difference between 'tómalo con calma' and 'tranquilo'?
'Tómalo con calma' is a general suggestion to relax or not rush. 'Tranquilo' is more of a direct command to calm down when someone is upset.
Can I use 'tómalo con calma' for myself?
No, this phrase is directed at another person. To tell yourself to take it easy, you would use 'me lo tomo con calma'.
Is 'tómalo con calma' informal?
It's generally neutral and can be used in most casual and semi-formal situations. For very formal settings, you might choose a different phrasing.
How do Mexicans say "take it easy"?
In Mexico, you might hear "tómalo con calma" or "tranquilo." Another common phrase is "no te agüites," which is more informal and means don't get discouraged.
How do you say "please take it easy"?
To say "please take it easy," you can use "por favor, tómalo con calma." If you want to be more direct, you could say "por favor, tranquilízate."
What is another way to say "take it easy"?
Besides "tómalo con calma," you can also say "tranquilo" which is a more general term for calm or relaxed. "No te estreses" (don't stress) is also a good option.
