Korean word

긴장감

Pronunciation

Romanizationkinjanggam

Meaning

  • nountension

Example

발표를 앞두고 긴장감이 높아졌다.pal pyo reul ap ttu go kin jang ga mi no pa jeot tta

The tension rose before the presentation.

Illustration for 긴장감 (tension)

More examples

면접장에서 그는 긴장감을 풀기 위해 심호흡을 했다.myeon jeop jjang e seo keu neun kin jang ga meul pul gi wi hae sim ho heu beul haet tta

In the interview room, he took deep breaths to ease the tension.

Core concept

The air feels pulled tight, keeping people alert and slightly uneasy.

Common phrases

  • 긴장감을 느끼다kin jang ga meul neu kki da

    feel the tension

  • 긴장감을 풀다kin jang ga meul pul da

    ease tension

Similar words

긴장kinjang: A tightly wound state of body or mind can make ordinary actions difficult in an important moment.
초조함chojoham: Restless impatience grows when waiting feels long and calm is hard to maintain.
불안감purangam: Uneasy worry about what may happen or how things will turn out prevents a sense of calm.
부담감pudamgam: A heavy sense of responsibility or duty makes a task feel difficult to carry.

Definition in Korean

위험하거나 중요한 상황에서 마음과 분위기가 팽팽하게 조여져 불안하거나 집중된 상태에서 느껴지는 느낌wi heom ha geo na chung yo han sang hwang e seo ma eum gwa pu nwi gi ga paeng paeng ha ge cho yeo jeo pu ran ha geo na chip jjung doen sang tae e seo neu kkyeo ji neun neu kkim

Word origin

The word combines Sino-Korean elements meaning tightly strained and feeling, turning a state of strain into the feeling or mood it creates.

Usage tips

  • In English, tension can refer to a pulling force, while 긴장감 (ginjanggam, "tension") often describes the uneasy, focused mood surrounding an important event.

Opposites

  • 편안함pyeonanhamrelaxationnoun
  • 안심ansimreassurancenoun

Related words

Word lists with this word