German word

nervös

Pronunciation

IPA/nɛʁˈvøːs/

Meaning

  • adjectivenervous

Example

Vor dem Vorstellungsgespräch bin ich nervös.

Before the interview, I'm nervous.

Illustration for nervös (nervous)

More examples

Bei Prüfungen werde ich schnell nervös.

I quickly get nervous during exams.

Core concept

Inner tension appears as restless movement and irritability while attention stays fixed on a concern.

Common phrases

  • nervös vor Publikum

    nervous in front of an audience

  • bei Prüfungen nervös

    nervous during exams

  • vor dem Auftritt nervös

    nervous before a performance

Similar words

aufgeregt: Feeling highly stirred up and restless because of an event or eager expectation.
angespannt: Being under strain in body or mind, with little ability to relax.
ängstlich: Feeling fearful because of serious concern about danger or a bad outcome.
unsicher: Lacking confidence in personal decisions or actions and feeling worried about them.

Definition in German

Ein Zustand erhöhter Nervosität, bei dem Sorgen und Reizbarkeit das Verhalten beeinflussen können.

Word origin

Nervös entered German through French nerveux from Latin nervosus, formed from nervus 'sinew or nerve', and came to describe nervous tension and excitability.

Usage tips

  • The pattern 'nervös werden' means 'to become nervous', while 'nervös machen' means 'to make someone nervous'.

Other meanings

  • restlessadjective
  • high-strungadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Nervositätnervousnessnoun
  • nervenaufreibendnerve-rackingadjective

Word lists with this word