Take your time
A very common and slightly informal way to say 'calmly' or 'no need to rush'.
Means 'Don't hurry'. Very common in daily conversation, especially in Mexico.
Literally 'without hurry'. A simple and direct way to say there's no rush.
Means 'There's no hurry'. This focuses on the situation rather than giving a direct command.
The project isn't for tomorrow. Take your time.
Don't worry about the mistake, fix it calmly (take your time).
We still have an hour before leaving. Don't hurry.
You can read the contract without rushing before signing.
'Tómate tu tiempo', 'con calma', and 'no te apures' are all widely understood and used.
'No te apures' is extremely common here, often used more than 'Tómate tu tiempo' in casual conversation.
'Con calma' is very popular. You will also hear 'No se afane' (formal) or 'No te afanes' (informal), which means 'don't stress' or 'don't rush'.
While 'Tómate tu tiempo' is used, it's very common to simply say 'Tranqui' (short for 'tranquilo/a') which means 'relax' or 'take it easy'. 'Sin apuro' is also used instead of 'sin prisa'.
'Tómate tu tiempo' is standard. For groups, they use the 'vosotros' form: 'Tomaos vuestro tiempo'. 'No tengas prisa' ('Don't be in a hurry') is also common.
Saying 'Toma tu tiempo' instead of 'Tómate tu tiempo'. — The reflexive pronoun 'te' is essential. 'Tomar tiempo' means 'to take up time' (e.g., El viaje toma tiempo - The trip takes time). 'Tomarse el tiempo' means to personally take one's time. You must include 'te'.
Confusing formal and informal: 'Tómate su tiempo'. — This mixes the informal 'tú' command ('tómate') with the formal possessive ('su'). The correct forms are 'Tómate tu tiempo' (informal 'tú') or 'Tómese su tiempo' (formal 'usted').
Translating literally with 'llevar': 'Lleva tu tiempo'. — The verb 'llevar' means 'to carry' or 'to wear'. It is never used for taking time in this context. The correct verb is 'tomar' (in its reflexive form 'tomarse').
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