French Conversation · Level 163
30 words
French word
relaxer
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁəlakse/
Meaning
- verbrelax
Example
Après le travail, je me relaxe chez moi.
I relax at home after work.
More examples
Le dimanche, ils se relaxent au soleil.
On Sundays, they relax in the sun.
Core concept
A person sinking into a chair as physical tension loosens and a calm, rested mood returns.
Common phrases
se relaxer au soleil
relax in the sun
se relaxer entre amis
relax with friends
Similar words
se détendre: To become more relaxed as tension and stiffness gradually lessen.
se reposer: To take a break to restore energy after fatigue.
décompresser: To release built-up stress after a long period of strain.
se calmer: To regain composure when anger or excitement dies down.
Definition in French
Se détendre et ressentir moins de stress, en retrouvant une attitude plus calme et reposée.
Word origin
French relaxer comes from Latin relaxare, formed from re- and laxare, 'to loosen', and extended from physical loosening to easing tension.
Usage tips
- In everyday French, se relaxer is familiar, while se détendre is the more neutral choice in formal speech and writing.
Opposites
- s'agiterbe restlessverb
- raidirstiffenverb
Related words
- relaxationrelaxationnoun
- relaxantrelaxingadjective