冷静 (lěngjìng) — Calm / cool-headed
HSK 4 | adjective | remaining rational and composed under pressure
冷静 (lěngjìng)
冷静 describes a state of being calm, composed, and rational — especially when under pressure or in a difficult situation.
Meanings
- [adjective] calm, cool-headed, composed, level-headed
Example Sentences
遇到紧急情况时，一定要保持冷静。 Yùdào jǐnjí qíngkuàng shí, yīdìng yào bǎochí lěngjìng. When you encounter an emergency, you must stay calm.
他在压力下依然很冷静，处理问题很有条理。 Tā zài yālì xià yīrán hěn lěngjìng, chǔlǐ wèntí hěn yǒu tiáolǐ. He remained very calm under pressure and handled problems in an organized way.
先冷静一下，再做决定。 Xiān lěngjìng yīxià, zài zuò juédìng. Calm down first, then make a decision.
她是一个冷静的领导者，从不轻易激动。 Tā shì yīgè lěngjìng de lǐngdǎozhě, cóng bù qīngyì jīdòng. She is a calm leader who never gets easily excited.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 保持冷静 | stay calm / keep composure |
| 冷静分析 | analyze calmly / calmly analyze |
| 冷静思考 | think calmly |
| 头脑冷静 | clear-headed; cool-minded |
Usage Notes
冷静 is often used in the imperative to advise someone to calm down: 冷静一下 (calm down a bit). It describes rational calmness rather than mere silence or stillness. Contrast with 平静 (peaceful/tranquil), which often refers to a peaceful environment or emotional state, whereas 冷静 implies mental clarity and rational composure.
Memory Hook
冷 (cold) + 静 (still/quiet) = "cold and still" — like cold, still water that is not easily disturbed — perfectly composed.