Cool MateChill vs Try to relax
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Chill
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Try to relax
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: Try to relaxMost common: Chill
| Chill | Try to relax | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //tʃɪl//🇺🇸 //tʃɪl// | 🇬🇧 //traɪ tə rɪˈlæks//🇺🇸 //traɪ tə rɪˈlæks// |
| Meaning | To relax or calm down. | Make an effort to calm down. |
| Example | Let's chill at my place this weekend. | After a long week, I always try to relax on the weekend. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| Collocations | chill out, just chill, chill vibes, chill time, chill with friends | try to relax, try to relax your mind, try to relax in nature |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'chilly' which means cool or cold., Using 'chill' in formal contexts like business emails., Misusing 'chill' as a noun instead of a verb. | Using 'try and relax' instead of 'try to relax'., Forgetting to use 'to' after 'try'., Using 'relaxing' instead of 'relax' in this phrase. |
| Usage notes | Use 'chill' in casual conversations. It's informal and not suitable for formal writing or meetings. | Used in informal contexts to suggest someone should calm down. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Chill vs Try to relax
What's the difference between Chill and Try to relax?
Chill: To relax or calm down. Try to relax: Make an effort to calm down.
Which is more formal: Chill and Try to relax?
Try to relax is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Chill and Try to relax?
Chill is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Chill: Let's chill at my place this weekend. Try to relax: After a long week, I always try to relax on the weekend.
Can I use Chill and Try to relax interchangeably?
Not always. Chill and Try to relax 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.