Korean word

긴장

Pronunciation

Romanizationkinjang

Meaning

  • nounnerves

Example

발표하기 전에는 긴장이 많이 돼요.pal pyo ha gi cheo ne neun kin jang i ma ni twae yo

Before giving a presentation, I get very nervous.

Illustration for 긴장 (nerves)

More examples

무대에 서자 긴장이 확 올라왔어요.mu dae e seo ja kin jang i hwak ol la wa sseo yo

My nerves suddenly kicked in when I stepped onto the stage.

Core concept

The uneasy, tightly wound feeling that can make speaking or acting normally difficult.

Common phrases

  • 긴장이 올라가다kin jang i ol la ga da

    tension rises

  • 긴장을 가라앉히다kin jang eul ka ra an chi da

    ease tension

Similar words

불안puran: Anxiety that keeps the mind from feeling calm about what lies ahead.
초조chojo: A restless, impatient feeling while waiting for news or a decision.
걱정keokjjeong: Worry caused by a possible problem or an unwanted result.
압박감apppakkkam: The feeling of being weighed down by outside demands or expectations.

Definition in Korean

중요한 순간이나 긴장되는 상황에서 마음과 몸이 평소보다 팽팽해져 평소처럼 행동하기 어려운 상태chung yo han sun ga ni na kin jang doe neun sang hwang e seo ma eum gwa mo mi pyeong so bo da paeng paeng hae jeo pyeong so cheo reom haeng dong ha gi eo ryeo un sang tae

Word origin

Its Sino-Korean roots express tightening and stretching, creating the image of something drawn tight.

Usage tips

  • English often uses nerves in the plural, but Korean uses one noun for both nervous feelings and physical tension.

Other meanings

  • tensionnoun

Opposites

  • 편안함pyeonanhamcalmnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word