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.
I'm nervous about tomorrow's presentation.
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.
I'm nervous about my first date.
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.
I'm nervous about the exam results.
Describes restless, fidgety nervousness. Often used when waiting for something.
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.
I'm nervous about the speech.
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.
Expressing that something or someone causes nervousness.
Causative form of 緊張する, meaning 'to make someone nervous.'
His silence made me nervous.
Referring to the nervous system in a biological or medical context.
Means 'nerve' or 'nervous system.' Used in medical terms.
diseases of the nervous system
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.
I was nervous at the interview.
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.
I'm always nervous before exams.
Don't be nervous!
She looked nervous.
I get nervous speaking in front of people.