How to Say “Stay calm” in Chinese
Emergencies and health · HSK 3
"Stay calm" in Chinese is 保持冷静 (Bǎochí lěngjìng). 保持冷静 (bǎochí lěngjìng) is the textbook 'remain calm' you'll hear from announcers, police, and flight attendants; it's neutral and works in any serious situation. In casual conversation, friends will tell you 别慌 (bié huāng, don't panic) or 淡定 (dàndìng, chill / keep your cool), which became internet slang around 2010 and is still used everywhere.
Primary translation
保持冷静
Bǎochí lěngjìng
Traditional: 保持冷靜
Variants by register
Casual
别慌
Bié huāng
When to use it
保持冷静 (bǎochí lěngjìng) is the textbook 'remain calm' you'll hear from announcers, police, and flight attendants; it's neutral and works in any serious situation. In casual conversation, friends will tell you 别慌 (bié huāng, don't panic) or 淡定 (dàndìng, chill / keep your cool), which became internet slang around 2010 and is still used everywhere. Avoid 冷静一点 (lěngjìng yīdiǎn, calm down a bit) when someone is actually upset; like English 'calm down,' it can sound dismissive and make things worse.
Example sentences
请大家保持冷静，不要拥挤。
Qǐng dàjiā bǎochí lěngjìng, bùyào yōngjǐ.
Everyone please stay calm; don't push.
别慌，我马上到。
Bié huāng, wǒ mǎshàng dào.
Don't panic; I'll be there right away.
遇到危险时，首先要保持冷静。
Yùdào wēixiǎn shí, shǒuxiān yào bǎochí lěngjìng.
When you face danger, the first thing is to stay calm.