Translation guide
How to express being nervous in Japanese, from everyday anxiety to formal tension.
Expressing that you feel nervous or anxious in a general sense, often about something upcoming.
The most common and natural way to say 'I'm nervous.' It refers to a state of tension or nervousness, often before a performance, speech, or important event.
明日のプレゼンの前で緊張している。
I'm nervous about tomorrow's presentation.
面接の前はいつも緊張する。
I always get nervous before interviews.
An onomatopoeic expression for a pounding heart, often used for nervous excitement or anticipation. More casual and vivid than 緊張している.
初めてのデートでドキドキしている。
I'm nervous about my first date.
発表の前はいつもドキドキする。
I always get nervous before presentations.
Means 'anxious' or 'uneasy,' often about an uncertain outcome. Slightly more negative than 緊張している.
試験の結果が不安だ。
I'm nervous about the exam results.
Describes restless, fidgety nervousness. Often used when waiting for something.
彼は面接の前でそわそわしていた。
He was nervous and fidgety before the interview.
Expressing what you are nervous about, using a target of the nervousness.
Literally 'worried about ~,' but often used where English would say 'nervous about.' Focuses on concern over a specific thing.
スピーチが心配だ。
I'm nervous about the speech.
彼が遅いから、事故が心配だ。
He's late, so I'm nervous about an accident.
Directly states what makes you nervous. Less common than 〜が心配だ but still natural.
人前で話すのを緊張する。
I get nervous speaking in front of people.
Expressing that something or someone causes nervousness.
Causative form of 緊張する, meaning 'to make someone nervous.'
彼の沈黙が私を緊張させた。
His silence made me nervous.
Referring to the nervous system in a biological or medical context.
緊張する is a formal, general term for nervousness. ドキドキする is onomatopoeic and emphasizes heart-pounding, often used for excited nervousness. In casual speech, ドキドキする is very common.
面接で緊張した。
I was nervous at the interview.
デートでドキドキした。
I was nervous/excited on the date.
The loanword ナーバス (naabasu) exists but is less common and can sound unnatural. Stick to 緊張している or ドキドキする for most situations.
試験の前はいつも緊張する。
I'm always nervous before exams.
緊張しないで！
Don't be nervous!
彼女は緊張しているようだった。
She looked nervous.