Spanish word

tensión

Pronunciation

IPA/tenˈsjon/

Meaning

  • feminine nounnervousness

Example

Siento tensión antes del examen.

I feel nervous before the exam.

Illustration for tensión (nervousness)

More examples

En reuniones importantes noto tensión entre los colegas.

At important meetings I notice nervousness among colleagues.

Core concept

An internal knot of nervous pressure.

Common phrases

  • sentir tensión

    feel nervousness

  • controlar la tensión

    control nervousness

  • tensión laboral

    work-related nervousness

Similar words

ansiedad: Intense, restless worry about future events or outcomes that prevents calm.
estrés: Mental and physical strain from heavy workload or demands that leaves the body fatigued and tight.
nerviosismo: Restless, jittery feeling in a specific situation that causes fidgeting and unease.
inquietud: Low-level, persistent unease or nagging concern that stays in the mind.

Definition in Spanish

Estado de nerviosismo o presión mental que alguien siente; término técnico usado también para tensión mecánica y tensión eléctrica.

Word origin

From Latin tensio, from tendere 'to stretch', whose sense of 'being stretched' broadened to physical pull, electrical potential, and psychological strain.

Usage tips

  • 'Tensión' resembles English 'tension' but is also a technical term (voltage, mechanical tension), and to convey personal nervousness Spanish speakers commonly use 'estoy nervioso/a' or 'estoy tenso/a'.

Other meanings

  • voltagenoun
  • tensionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • tensotenseadjective
  • tensamentetenselyadverb

Word lists with this word