Cool MateRelax vs Take it slow
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Relax
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Take it slow
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: RelaxMost common: Relax
| Relax | Take it slow | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈlæks/","/rɪˈlæksɪz/","/rɪˈlækst/","/rɪˈlæksɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈlæks/","/rɪˈlæksɪz/","/rɪˈlækst/","/rɪˈlæksɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //teɪk ɪt sləʊ//🇺🇸 //teɪk ɪt sloʊ// |
| Meaning | To make yourself feel calm and not stressed. | Do something at a slow pace; don't rush. |
| Example | After a long day at work, I like to relax on the couch with a good book. | After a long week, I just want to take it slow this weekend. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | completely, fully, totally, begin to, try to, learn to, against, into, on, lie back and relax, sit back and relax, relax and enjoy something/yourself, completely, fully, totally, begin to, try to, learn to, against, into, on, lie back and relax, sit back and relax, relax and enjoy something/yourself, completely, fully, totally, begin to, try to, learn to, against, into, on, lie back and relax, sit back and relax, relax and enjoy something/yourself | take it easy, take your time, take it slow and steady, take it slow with friends, take it slow on the road |
| Antonyms | stress, tense, worry | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Relax' is sometimes confused with 'release' as if both mean the same thing., Learners may forget to use an object, saying just 'I relax' instead of 'I relax myself'., Some might use 'relax' inappropriately with a negative tone, which can sound confusing. | Saying 'take slow it' instead of 'take it slow'., Using 'take it slow' in overly formal situations., Confusing it with 'take it fast'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'relax' when talking about making oneself calm. It's suitable for most contexts, but avoid using it in very formal occasions. | Often used in casual conversations to suggest being patient. Appropriate in friendly contexts, but may not suit formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Relax vs Take it slow
What's the difference between Relax and Take it slow?
Relax: To make yourself feel calm and not stressed. Take it slow: Do something at a slow pace; don't rush.
Which is more formal: Relax and Take it slow?
Relax is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Relax and Take it slow?
Relax is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Relax: After a long day at work, I like to relax on the couch with a good book. Take it slow: After a long week, I just want to take it slow this weekend.
Can I use Relax and Take it slow interchangeably?
Not always. Relax and Take it slow are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.