BBC Learning English

The English We Speak

8th February 2011

Chillax





Chillax



Wang Fei:

(Screaming) Ahhh!!



Finn:

Wang Fei, are you ok?



Wang Fei:

(Screaming) No, no. Ahhh!!



Finn:

What's wrong? What's wrong?



Wang Fei:

There's a big, green spider in the studio!



Finn:

A spider? Oh, it's only a spider. Chillax!



Wang Fei:

Chillax?!



Finn:

Yes, chillax. I'll get the spiderâ€Åš Now, hold onâ€Åš Got it. Feel better?



Wang Fei:

Thanks, yes, much better. So Finn, what was that word you just said?



Finn:

Chillax. It's a combination of two words. Can you guess them?



Wang Fei:

Chillâ€Åš andâ€Åš relax?



Finn:

Chill and relax, yes. It means the same as chill or chill out or relax. So just now I told you to chillax, which means don't worry, relax.



Wang Fei:

Oh, I understand. So if I tell somebody to chillax it means, basically, to relax or to calm down?



Finn:

That's right. That's one way we can use it. For example:



Example



A: I'm so worried about going on my first date with Steven!

B: Chillax, it'll be ok. I'm sure you'll have a nice time.



Finn:

You could also just say, I want to chillax or I'm chillaxing.





The English We Speak

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011



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Wang Fei:

Chillaxing.



Example



A: What are you doing tonight?

B: Nothing special, just going to chillax at home.



Wang Fei:

So does chillax mean exactly the same as chill out and relax?



Finn:

Well the meaning is the same, but chillax is a newer expression, so you probably won't hear it as much.



Wang Fei:

Great. So by the way Finn, where did you put that spider?



Finn:

The spider?



Wang Fei:

Yes, the big, green spider.



Finn:

Oh, erm, the spider. I can't remember. I think I left it on the desk.



Wang Fei:

Really? Then what is that big, green thing climbing up your neck?



Finn:

Eh? What? Ahhh!!



Wang Fei:

Ha ha. Finn, chillax! I was just kidding.



Finn:

Very funny Wang Fei. Bye for now.



Wang Fei:

Bye.





The English We Speak

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011



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