Spanish · Emotions & Descriptions
"Nervous" in Spanish: nervioso/a
nervioso/a
Nervous in Spanish is nervioso or nerviosa. Say Estoy nervioso antes del examen. Estoy nerviosa por la entrevista. Use estar for the feeling.
How to pronounce nervioso: audio and sound guideBefore speaking
Estoy nervioso antes de presentar.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce nervioso/a
Say it
nehr-VYOH-soh / nehr-VYOH-sah
/neɾ.ˈbjo.so/, /neɾ.ˈbjo.sa/
nehr-VYOH-soh / nehr-VYOH-sah. Stress VYOH in nervioso. Soft v between vowels.
"Nervous" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| nervioso | nervous (masc.) Temporary nerves with estar. | Temporary nerves with estar. |
| nerviosa | nervous (fem.) Feminine form. | Feminine form. |
| nervioso por | nervous about Names the cause. | Names the cause. |
| poner nervioso | to make nervous What someone or something does to you. | What someone or something does to you. |
How to use nervioso/a in real life
- 1Before speaking
Estoy nervioso antes de presentar.
I’m nervous before presenting.
Nervioso with estoy.
- 2Job interview
Mi hermana está nerviosa por mañana.
My sister is nervous about tomorrow.
Nerviosa agrees with hermana.
- 3At the dentist
Los niños están nerviosos en la sala.
The kids are nervous in the waiting room.
Nerviosos is masculine plural.
Mistakes English speakers make with nervioso/a
Incorrect: Ella está nervioso.
Correct: Ella está nerviosa.
Agree gender: nerviosa with ella.
Incorrect: Soy nervioso hoy.
Correct: Estoy nervioso hoy.
Use estar with nervioso for today’s nerves.
Good to know
Good to knowEstar nervioso/a is the normal Latin American way to name interview or exam jitters. Me pones nervioso/a means you make me nervous. For calmer talk, people say un poco ansioso/a.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Waiting outside an interview room
ChatPal
Estás nervioso. Respira un momento.
You’re nervous. Breathe for a moment.
You
Sí, nervioso. Me tiemblan las manos.
Yes, nervous. My hands are shaking.
ChatPal
Vas a estar bien. Ellos son amables.
You’ll be fine. They’re kind.
You
Gracias. No quiero entrar tan nervioso.
Thanks. I don’t want to go in so nervous.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Nervous" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Nervous" in Spanish
How does gender work?
Nervioso (m.), nerviosa (f.), plurals nerviosos / nerviosas.
Ser or estar?
Estar for a moment of nerves: Estoy nervioso. Ser nervioso means a nervous personality.
How do I say you make me nervous?
Me pones nervioso. / Me pones nerviosa.
Nervous about what?
Estoy nervioso por… + the thing.
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