tranquilo
Lemma Details
Translation: calm; quiet; peaceful; relaxed; tranquil; serene; still; undisturbed
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: From Latin 'tranquillus' meaning 'calm, quiet, still'. The English word 'tranquil' shares the same Latin root, making them cognates. The Latin term combines 'trans-' (across, beyond) with a root related to quietness, suggesting a state that transcends ordinary disturbances. The word has maintained its core meaning of calmness and peacefulness across centuries in both Spanish and English.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Mantén la mente tranquila durante la meditación.
Keep your mind calm during meditation.
El mar está muy tranquilo hoy.
The sea is very calm today.
Tranquilo, todo va a salir bien.
Relax, everything will be fine.
Prefiero vivir en un barrio tranquilo.
I prefer to live in a quiet neighborhood.
Necesito un lugar tranquilo para estudiar.
I need a quiet place to study.
Mnemonics
- Think of the English word 'tranquil' + 'o' = tranquilo
- Imagine a 'tran-QUILL-o' writing peacefully and calmly
- Sounds like 'trank' (as in tranquilizer) + 'wheel' + 'o' - something that makes you calm and steady
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking cultures, 'tranquilo' is not just an adjective but also a common reassurance or command. Saying 'tranquilo' to someone is a way to tell them to calm down or not worry. It's also used in the greeting 'Hola, ¿todo tranquilo?' (Hi, is everything calm/okay?). The concept of tranquility is highly valued in many Spanish-speaking countries, where a relaxed pace of life is often embraced.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'tranquilo' refers to a state of calmness or peacefulness, 'quieto' specifically means 'still' or 'motionless'. 'Tranquilo' is about emotional state, while 'quieto' is about physical movement.
Confused word:
El niño no puede quedarse quieto por un minuto.
The child cannot stay still for a minute.
Notes: 'Tranquilo' can sometimes imply stillness, but its primary meaning is emotional calmness, while 'quieto' is primarily about physical stillness.
Mnemonic: 'Quieto' sounds like 'quiet' but means 'still/motionless'; 'tranquilo' sounds like 'tranquil' and means 'calm/peaceful'.
Explanation: 'Tranquilo' refers to a state of calmness or peacefulness, while 'silencioso' specifically means 'silent' or 'making no noise'. A place can be 'tranquilo' (peaceful) without being completely 'silencioso' (silent).
Notes: A library might be described as both 'tranquilo' (peaceful) and 'silencioso' (silent), but they emphasize different qualities.
Mnemonic: 'Silencioso' has 'silenci' in it, clearly related to 'silence'; 'tranquilo' relates to overall peacefulness.