French word

nerveux

Pronunciation

IPA/nɛʁvø/

Meaning

  • adjectivenervous

Example

Je suis nerveux avant un examen.

I am nervous before an exam.

Illustration for nerveux (nervous)

More examples

Il a l'air nerveux avant l'entretien.

He looks nervous before the interview.

Core concept

A person whose inner calm is easily shaken by small triggers, leading to restless or irritable behavior.

Common phrases

  • être nerveux

    be nervous

  • avoir l'air nerveux

    look nervous

  • paraître nerveux

    seem nervous

Similar words

anxieux: Persistently anxious or concerned about the future or an outcome.
inquiet: Restless and uneasy because of worry or anxiety.
tendu: Physically tense, with tightened muscles or a stiff expression.
stressé: Under strong pressure and anxiety from work, exams, or similar demands.

Definition in French

Se dit d'une personne ou d'un comportement marqué par une sensibilité nerveuse, c'est-à-dire une inquiétude, une agitation ou une irritabilité facilement déclenchées.

Word origin

French nerveux derives from Latin nervosus, from nervus ('nerve, sinew'), with an original bodily sense extending to unsettled feelings and behavior.

Usage tips

  • French nerveux can describe a person's general temperament as well as temporary anxiety, so context may call for 'nervous' or 'irritable' in English.

Other meanings

  • anxiousadjective
  • high-strungadjective
  • irritableadjective

Opposites

  • calmecalmadjective
  • détendurelaxedadjective

Related words

  • nervositénervousnessnoun
  • nerveusementnervouslyadverb

Word lists with this word