Meaning
Informal request to relax or calm down.
Cultural Background
The word 'chillen' has been a staple of 'Jugendsprache' for over 20 years. It represents a move away from traditional German 'Spießigkeit' (stuffy attitudes). In Berlin, 'chillen' is not just a verb but a lifestyle. Many cafes and bars are designed specifically for 'Chillen'. While the workplace is becoming more casual (the 'Du-Kultur'), 'chill mal' is still often too informal for meetings unless you are in a very young startup. On German social media (TikTok, Instagram), 'Chill mal' is often used in comments to mock 'Karen-like' behavior or overreactions.
The 'Doch' Upgrade
Add 'doch' to make it 'Chill doch mal'. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker who is slightly annoyed by someone's stress.
The Boss Rule
Never say this to someone who pays your salary or gives you grades. It's a career-killer.
Meaning
Informal request to relax or calm down.
The 'Doch' Upgrade
Add 'doch' to make it 'Chill doch mal'. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker who is slightly annoyed by someone's stress.
The Boss Rule
Never say this to someone who pays your salary or gives you grades. It's a career-killer.
Regional Variations
In some parts of Bavaria, older people might not understand 'chillen' as well as in Berlin or Hamburg.
Test Yourself
Which response is most appropriate for a friend who is panicking about a small mistake?
A: 'Oh nein, ich habe meinen Stift vergessen!' B: '________'
'Chill mal!' is the perfect casual way to tell a friend not to worry about a small thing like a forgotten pen.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'chillen'.
Gestern haben wir den ganzen Tag im Park ________.
The past participle of 'chillen' is 'gechillt' (following regular German verb rules).
Match the phrase to the correct social context.
1. Chill mal! | 2. Entspannen Sie sich bitte. | 3. Komm mal runter!
'Chill mal' is for light stress, 'Komm mal runter' is for anger, and 'Entspannen Sie sich' is for formal contexts.
Fill in the missing slang particle.
Lukas: 'Ich schaffe das nie!' Sarah: 'Chill ____ mal, Lukas!'
'Chill doch mal' is a very common variation that adds emphasis to the suggestion.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to Chill
Good Situations
- • Late bus
- • Lost pen
- • Gaming
- • Weekend
Bad Situations
- • Job interview
- • Funeral
- • Police stop
- • Exam
Practice Bank
4 exercisesA: 'Oh nein, ich habe meinen Stift vergessen!' B: '________'
'Chill mal!' is the perfect casual way to tell a friend not to worry about a small thing like a forgotten pen.
Gestern haben wir den ganzen Tag im Park ________.
The past participle of 'chillen' is 'gechillt' (following regular German verb rules).
1. Chill mal! | 2. Entspannen Sie sich bitte. | 3. Komm mal runter!
'Chill mal' is for light stress, 'Komm mal runter' is for anger, and 'Entspannen Sie sich' is for formal contexts.
Lukas: 'Ich schaffe das nie!' Sarah: 'Chill ____ mal, Lukas!'
'Chill doch mal' is a very common variation that adds emphasis to the suggestion.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIt depends on the context. Between friends, it's fine. To a stranger or superior, it's very rude.
Only if you have a very casual relationship with them. Otherwise, it might sound disrespectful.
If you are talking to a group, say 'Chillt mal!'.
Yes, 'das Chillen', but it's mostly used as a gerund.
Related Phrases
Komm mal runter
synonymCalm down / Come down
Entspann dich
similarRelax yourself
Locker bleiben
similarStay loose
Stress machen
contrastTo cause stress
Abhängen
similarTo hang out
