B1 Collocation Neutre 2 min de lecture

リラックスをする

relax

Littéralement: To do 'relax'

Use this phrase to describe active de-stressing or telling someone to calm their nerves.

En 15 secondes

  • A modern way to say 'to relax' using English roots.
  • Used for de-stressing, hobbies, and calming down before big events.
  • Very common in daily speech and modern media.

Signification

It means to unwind, let go of tension, and find a state of mental or physical ease. It’s that cozy feeling of finally sitting down after a long, busy day.

Exemples clés

3 sur 6
1

Talking about weekend plans

今週末は家でゆっくりリラックスをします。

I’m going to relax slowly at home this weekend.

😊
2

Encouraging a nervous friend

深呼吸して、リラックスをして!

Take a deep breath and relax!

🤝
3

In a professional meeting (advice)

プレゼンの前は、少しリラックスをすることが大切です。

It is important to relax a little before a presentation.

💼
🌍

Contexte culturel

The phrase uses katakana, which often gives words a 'cool' or 'modern' vibe in Japan. It gained massive popularity during the late 20th century as Western lifestyle concepts influenced Japanese daily life. Today, it's a staple in the 'wellness' industry, often linked to the concept of 'iyashi' (healing).

💡

The Invisible 'O'

In 90% of casual conversations, Japanese people drop the `を`. Just say `リラックスする` to sound like a local!

⚠️

Not for Sickness

If you have a cold, don't say you're going to `リラックスをする`. People will think you're just hanging out. Use `休む` (yasumu) for medical rest.

En 15 secondes

  • A modern way to say 'to relax' using English roots.
  • Used for de-stressing, hobbies, and calming down before big events.
  • Very common in daily speech and modern media.

What It Means

リラックスをする is a modern, katakana-based way to say 'to relax.' Since it comes from the English word 'relax,' it feels very approachable. It describes the act of actively choosing to de-stress. It’s not just sleeping; it’s enjoying a calm moment. Think of it as hitting the 'reset' button on your brain.

How To Use It

You use it just like any other 〜をする verb. In casual conversation, you can drop the and just say リラックスする. If you want to tell someone else to chill out, you say リラックスして. It’s very flexible! You can use it with adverbs like ゆっくり (slowly/leisurely) to add more flavor. Just remember, it’s an action you take, not just a state you are in.

When To Use It

Use this when you’re talking about your hobbies or weekend plans. It’s perfect for describing a trip to an 'onsen' (hot spring). Use it when a friend is nervous before a big speech. It’s also great for texting after a long shift at work. If you’re at a cafe with a book, you are definitely リラックスをしています.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use it if you are actually sick or injured. In those cases, use 休む (yasumu), which means to rest or recover. Also, avoid it in very traditional or ancient settings, like a tea ceremony. It might feel a bit too 'modern' for a 500-year-old ritual. Don't use it to mean 'lazy' either. It’s a positive, healthy kind of rest, not avoiding work!

Cultural Background

Japan has a very intense work culture, often called 'ganbare' culture. Because of this, 'relaxing' is seen as a necessary luxury. The word リラックス became popular as people started valuing work-life balance more. You'll see it in ads for everything from chocolate to bath salts. It represents a modern, globalized way of looking at mental health in Japan.

Common Variations

You’ll often hear リラックスできる which means 'can relax' or 'is relaxing.' For example, 'This room is relaxing.' Another one is リラックスした状態 (a relaxed state). If you want to sound more traditional, you might use のんびりする. But for most daily situations, the katakana version is your best friend.

Notes d'usage

This phrase is highly versatile and fits into almost any conversation. The inclusion of the particle `を` makes it slightly more grammatically complete, but it is frequently omitted in fast-paced, daily speech.

💡

The Invisible 'O'

In 90% of casual conversations, Japanese people drop the `を`. Just say `リラックスする` to sound like a local!

⚠️

Not for Sickness

If you have a cold, don't say you're going to `リラックスをする`. People will think you're just hanging out. Use `休む` (yasumu) for medical rest.

💬

Forest Bathing

Japan is famous for 'Shinrin-yoku' (forest bathing). If you go to the woods to de-stress, that is the ultimate form of `リラックスをする`.

Exemples

6
#1 Talking about weekend plans
😊

今週末は家でゆっくりリラックスをします。

I’m going to relax slowly at home this weekend.

Adding 'ゆっくり' makes it sound extra peaceful.

#2 Encouraging a nervous friend
🤝

深呼吸して、リラックスをして!

Take a deep breath and relax!

Using the 'te-form' makes it a friendly command.

#3 In a professional meeting (advice)
💼

プレゼンの前は、少しリラックスをすることが大切です。

It is important to relax a little before a presentation.

Using 'koto' turns the phrase into a noun phrase for advice.

#4 Texting a partner after work
😊

やっと仕事が終わった。今からリラックスするね。

Work is finally over. I'm going to relax now.

Dropping the 'o' particle makes it sound more natural for texting.

#5 Describing a funny situation
😄

うちの猫は、お風呂場でもリラックスをしています。

My cat is relaxing even in the bathroom.

Using it for animals adds a humorous, personified touch.

#6 Expressing deep comfort
💭

あなたの隣にいると、本当にリラックスをします。

I feel truly relaxed when I am next to you.

Shows emotional safety and comfort.

Teste-toi

Choose the correct particle to complete the standard phrase.

週末は公園でリラックス___します。

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

The standard collocation is 'relax o suru', though 'o' is often omitted in speech.

How would you tell a friend to 'relax' (command form)?

そんなに緊張しないで!もっと___。

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : リラックスをして

The 'te-form' (shite) is used for requests or casual commands.

🎉 Score : /2

Aides visuelles

Formality of 'Relaxing'

Informal

Dropping the particle for friends.

リラックスする

Neutral

Standard polite form for most situations.

リラックスをします

Formal

Using more traditional 'rest' vocabulary.

休息をとります

When to say 'Rirakkusu o suru'

リラックスをする
♨️

At a Spa

温泉でリラックスをする

📝

Before a Test

試験の前にリラックスをする

🎧

Listening to Music

音楽を聴いてリラックスをする

☀️

On a Sunday

日曜日はリラックスをする

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes. 休む (yasumu) is for resting when tired or sick. リラックスをする is for mental unwinding and enjoying leisure.

Yes, but use the polite form リラックスしてください if you are suggesting they take a break. It's quite neutral.

It might be a bit too casual. Better to use 息抜きをする (ikinuki o suru) to talk about how you handle stress.

Not really. Use 落ち着いた人 (ochitsuita hito) for a calm person. リラックス is usually a verb.

It is completely gender-neutral. Everyone from children to grandfathers uses it.

Yes, but you'd say リラックスできる場所 (a place where one can relax).

The most common opposite would be 緊張する (kinchou suru), which means to be nervous or tense.

It's a noun that becomes a verb when you add をする or する.

It's better to say リラックスできる映画. Using the 'can' form makes it an adjective.

Not exactly, but young people might just say まったりする (mattari suru) for chilling out.

Expressions liées

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