Stress & Relaxing in Chinese 压力和放松
yālì hé fàngsōng
Stress / to relax in Chinese are 压力 / 放松 (yā lì / fàng sōng).
Also searched for as: stress, relax, stressed, calm down.
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The word for stress in Chinese is 压力 (yā lì), literally 'pressure', and the usual way to say you're stressed is 压力很大 (yā lì hěn dà), 'the pressure is big'. These words help you talk honestly about busy times and how you cope, from 放松 (fàng sōng), to relax, to 散心 (sàn xīn), getting out to clear your head. They also include the kind things friends say to each other, such as 慢慢来 (màn màn lái), take it one step at a time.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 压力 | yā lì | stress; pressure |
| 压力大 | yā lì dà | stressed |
| 焦虑 | jiāo lǜ | anxious |
| 放松 | fàng sōng | to relax |
| 深呼吸 | shēn hū xī | to take a deep breath |
| 冥想 | míng xiǎng | to meditate |
| 按摩 | àn mó | massage |
| 散心 | sàn xīn | to clear your head |
| 休假 | xiū jià | to take time off |
| 累坏了 | lèi huài le | worn out |
| 崩溃 | bēng kuì | to break down |
| 倾诉 | qīng sù | to pour your heart out |
| 想开点儿 | xiǎng kāi diǎnr | look on the bright side |
| 慢慢来 | màn màn lái | take it easy; one step at a time |
| 心理医生 | xīn lǐ yī shēng | therapist |
Usage tips
- 散心 (sàn xīn) is often doubled as 散散心 (sàn san xīn): 出去走走，散散心, go out for a walk and take your mind off things.
- 崩溃 (bēng kuì) literally means to collapse, but in casual speech 我快崩溃了 is light exaggeration, like 'I'm losing it', usually about deadlines or chores.
- 想开点儿 (xiǎng kāi diǎnr), with the northern 儿 ending, is common in Beijing-style speech; in southern China, Taiwan and Singapore you're more likely to hear 想开一点 (xiǎng kāi yī diǎn).
Common mistakes
- Learners say 我很压力 for 'I'm stressed', but 压力 is a noun; say 我压力很大 (wǒ yā lì hěn dà).
- Learners use 放松 (fàng sōng) for a short break at work; 放松 is about unwinding, while a quick break is 休息一下 (xiū xi yī xià).
Mini dialogue
- A你最近怎么样？看起来很累。Nǐ zuì jìn zěn me yàng? Kàn qǐ lái hěn lèi.How have you been? You look tired.
- B别提了，工作压力特别大，我快崩溃了。Bié tí le, gōng zuò yā lì tè bié dà, wǒ kuài bēng kuì le.Don't ask. Work's been really stressful, I'm about to lose it.
- A周末跟我去爬山吧，散散心。Zhōu mò gēn wǒ qù pá shān ba, sàn san xīn.Come hiking with me at the weekend and clear your head.
- B好啊，我真的需要放松一下。Hǎo a, wǒ zhēn de xū yào fàng sōng yī xià.Good idea, I really need to relax.
- A别急，事情慢慢来。Bié jí, shì qing màn màn lái.Don't rush, take things one step at a time.
Example sentences
- 最近工作压力很大。Work's been really stressful lately.
- 考试前我压力很大。I'm really stressed before exams.
- 他总是很焦虑。He's always anxious.
- 周末好好放松一下。Relax properly at the weekend.
- 深呼吸，别紧张。Take a deep breath, don't be nervous.
- 我每天冥想十分钟。I meditate for ten minutes every day.
- 按摩很舒服。Massages feel great.
- 出去走走，散散心。Go out for a walk and clear your head.
- 我想休假一个星期。I want to take a week off.
- 这个星期我累坏了。I'm worn out this week.
- 我快崩溃了！I'm about to lose it!
- 有心事可以找朋友倾诉。If something's on your mind, talk to a friend.
- 别难过，想开点儿。Don't be sad, look on the bright side.
- 别急，慢慢来。No rush, one step at a time.
- 她每周去看心理医生。She sees a therapist every week.
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The Stress & relaxing speaking island has 8 everyday questions about stress & relaxing to prepare your own answers to.