entspannt vs locker
German word comparison
Listen to entspannt
Listen to locker
| entspannt | locker |
|---|---|
en-TSHPAHNT adjective | LOK-er adjective |
| relaxed, calm, and free from tension | relaxed, loose, casual, not tense |
How they differ
"Locker" overlaps with "entspannt" when describing a relaxed attitude, but it often has a more casual, easygoing, or informal tone. It can also mean physically loose or not tight, so it is broader and less purely emotional than "entspannt".
When to use each
When to use entspannt: Use "entspannt" when you mean calm, free from tension, or mentally at ease.
When to use locker: Use "locker" when you want to stress casual ease, informality, or a loose, unforced manner.
Side-by-side examples
- Nach dem Urlaub war er ganz entspannt.
(After the vacation, he was completely relaxed.) - Nach dem Urlaub war er ganz locker.
(After the vacation, he was completely at ease.)
Register & nuance: "Locker" is very common in everyday German and feels slightly more colloquial than "entspannt".