Breakdown of Restons calmes, il n'y a pas de problème.
il y a
there is / there are
ne
not (used before the verb)
pas
not (used after the verb)
le problème
the problem
de
of / from / any (in negative sentences) / about (concerning)
rester
to stay
calme
calm
pas de problème
no problem
Questions & Answers about Restons calmes, il n'y a pas de problème.
How does Restons mean "Let's stay" if there is no word for "us" or "let's"?
Restons is in the imperative mood, which is used for commands and suggestions. To say "Let's..." in French, you simply take the nous (we) form of the present tense verb and drop the pronoun nous. So Nous restons (We stay) becomes the suggestion Restons (Let's stay).
Why is there an "s" at the end of calmes?
Adjectives in French must agree with the person or thing they describe. Even though the word nous is left out of this command, Restons still implies "we" (more than one person). Therefore, the adjective calme gets an -s to make it plural.
Doesn't rester mean "to rest"?
It looks like it, but rester is a false friend! It actually means "to stay" or "to remain". If you want to talk about resting in French, you would use the verb se reposer.
Why is it pas de problème instead of pas un problème?
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