Korean word

긴장하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationkinjanghada

Meaning

  • verbbe nervous

Example

시험 때문에 긴장해요.si heom ttae mu ne kin jang hae yo

I'm nervous because of the test.

Illustration for 긴장하다 (be nervous)

More examples

무대에 오르기 전엔 항상 긴장해요.mu dae e o reu gi cheo nen hang sang kin jang hae yo

I'm always nervous before going on stage.

Core concept

The mind and body become wound up before an important event, making calm focus difficult.

Common phrases

  • 면접에서 긴장해요myeon jeo be seo kin jang hae yo

    be nervous in an interview

  • 중요한 발표를 앞두고 긴장하다chung yo han pal pyo reul ap ttu go kin jang ha da

    be nervous before an important presentation

  • 시험 직전에 긴장해요si heom chik jjeo ne kin jang hae yo

    be nervous just before an exam

Similar words

긴장되다kinjangdoeda: Feel tense when outside pressure makes clear speech or movement difficult.
초조해지다chojohaejida: Become restless and uneasy while worrying about what may happen next.
떨리다tteollida: Tremble because of cold or strong emotion, especially in the hands or voice.
걱정하다keokjjeonghada: Worry about a possible problem and feel uneasy about its result.

Definition in Korean

어떤 일을 앞두고 불안하거나 두근거려 마음이 가라앉지 않고 집중하기 어려운 상태가 되다.eo tteon i reul ap ttu go pu ran ha geo na tu geun geo ryeo ma eu mi ka ra an jji an ko chip jjung ha gi eo ryeo un sang tae ga toe da

Word origin

The verb 긴장하다 (ginjanghada, "to be nervous") combines 긴장 (ginjang, "tension") with 하다 (hada, "to do"), turning the noun's state into a verb.

Usage tips

  • This verb describes anticipation before a high-stakes event, not only fear, so it fits moments when composure fades as the event approaches.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word