Spanish word

nervio

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈneɾβjo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounnervousness

Example

Antes del examen, tengo nervios.

Before the exam, I feel nervousness.

Illustration for nervio (nervousness)

More examples

Antes de hablar en público, tomo agua para calmar los nervios.

Before speaking in public, I drink water to calm the jitters.

Core concept

A tense, jangling feeling inside.

Common phrases

  • calmar los nervios

    calm the jitters

  • controlar los nervios

    get the jitters under control

Similar words

nerviosismo: Nervous restlessness marked by fidgeting and an inability to calm down.
ansiedad: Worrying anxiety focused on future possibilities, often with tense anticipation.
inquietud: A vague, nagging unease or unsettled feeling without a clear threat.
miedo: An instinctive fear of threat or harm that triggers alarm and avoidance.

Definition in Spanish

Sentimiento de tensión o inquietud ante una situación; también fibras del cuerpo que transmiten sensaciones y, en sentido figurado, la valentía.

Word origin

From Latin nervus 'sinew', the word in Romance languages shifts to mean bodily nerves and then extends figuratively to mental tension and to courage.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Spanish, tener nervios (usually plural) expresses having the jitters while estar nervioso describes being in a nervous state.

Other meanings

  • nervenoun
  • couragenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word