Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Nervous" in Korean: 긴장되다
긴장되다ginjangdoeda
Nervous in Korean is 긴장되다 (ginjangdoeda). 긴장되다 describes feeling nervous or tense; 떨려요 can also describe nervous trembling.
Nervous: an everyday statement
발표 전에 긴장돼요.balpyo jeone ginjangdwaeyo.
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How to pronounce 긴장되다
Say it
ginjangdoeda
/kintɕaŋtweta/
Read 긴장되다 as ginjangdoeda. The spoken form 긴장돼요 is ginjangdwaeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Nervous" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 긴장되다ginjangdoeda | Nervous Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 긴장돼요ginjangdwaeyo | Nervous (polite present) Use 긴장돼요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 긴장돼요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 긴장됐어요ginjangdwaesseoyo | Nervous (polite past) Use 긴장됐어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 긴장됐어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 긴장되다 in real life
- 1Nervous: an everyday statement
발표 전에 긴장돼요.
balpyo jeone ginjangdwaeyo.
I feel nervous before a presentation.
긴장돼요 is the present form of 긴장되다.
- 2Nervous: a different situation
첫날은 많이 긴장됐어요.
cheonnareun mani ginjangdwaesseoyo.
I was very nervous on the first day.
긴장됐어요 is the past form of 긴장되다.
- 3Nervous: a question or request
시험 때문에 긴장돼요?
siheom ttaemune ginjangdwaeyo?
Are you nervous because of the exam?
긴장돼요 is the present form of 긴장되다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 긴장되다
Incorrect: 긴장되다.
Correct: 긴장돼요.
When practicing nervous, 긴장되다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 긴장돼요.
Incorrect: 어제 긴장돼요.
Correct: 어제 긴장됐어요.
When practicing nervous, for a completed event yesterday, use 긴장됐어요; the present form 긴장돼요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
긴장되다 describes feeling nervous or tense; 떨려요 can also describe nervous trembling. 긴장돼요 is the polite conversational form of 긴장되다; 긴장됐어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 긴장되다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
발표 전에 긴장돼요.
balpyo jeone ginjangdwaeyo.
I feel nervous before a presentation.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
첫날은 많이 긴장됐어요.
cheonnareun mani ginjangdwaesseoyo.
I was very nervous on the first day.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Nervous" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Nervous" in Korean
How do I use 긴장되다 in polite speech?
긴장돼요 is the polite conversational form of 긴장되다; 긴장됐어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 긴장되다 in a past-tense sentence?
긴장됐어요 is the polite past form. 긴장되다 describes feeling nervous or tense; 떨려요 can also describe nervous trembling.
What does 긴장돼요 mean here?
긴장돼요 is used for nervous. For example, 발표 전에 긴장돼요. means “I feel nervous before a presentation.”
What should I remember about 긴장되다?
긴장되다 describes feeling nervous or tense; 떨려요 can also describe nervous trembling.
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