entspannt vs gelassen
German word comparison
Listen to entspannt
Listen to gelassen
| entspannt | gelassen |
|---|---|
en-TSHPAHNT adjective | geh-LASS-en adjective |
| relaxed, calm, and free from tension | calm, composed, unruffled |
How they differ
"Gelassen" is closer to inner composure than "entspannt". It suggests staying calm even in a difficult or stressful situation, while "entspannt" can simply mean free of tension and comfortable.
When to use each
When to use entspannt: Use "entspannt" for general relaxation, comfort, or a tension-free state.
When to use gelassen: Use "gelassen" when you want to emphasize calm self-control under pressure.
Side-by-side examples
- Sie wirkte trotz der Probleme entspannt.
(She seemed relaxed despite the problems.) - Sie wirkte trotz der Probleme gelassen.
(She seemed composed despite the problems.)
Register & nuance: "Gelassen" sounds a bit more elevated and is especially common in thoughtful or formal contexts.