Skip to content

décontracter

to relax, to loosen up

verb deh-kohn-trahk-TEH Rare

Usage Note

Décontracter means to release muscular tension or, reflexively (se décontracter), to unwind mentally. The reflexive form is far more common in everyday speech: détends-toi and décontracte-toi are near synonyms. The related adjective décontracté means 'relaxed' or 'casual' in both physical and social senses.

Examples

"Essaie de te décontracter avant l'entretien."

Natural Translation

Try to relax before the interview.

Explore French by topic