Translation guide
The English word 'nervous' describes a feeling of anxiety, worry, or unease, often about something that is about to happen. In Japanese, the most common and natural way to express this is with the adjective 緊張する (kinchō suru), which literally means 'to be tense' or 'to be nervous'. However, depending on the nuance—such as being worried, fidgety, or having butterflies—different expressions are used. This guide covers the main ways to express 'nervous' in Japanese, organized by the specific feeling or situation.
Expressing that you feel nervous or tense, especially before a performance, exam, or important event.
This is the most common and versatile way to say 'I'm nervous'. It can be used for any situation where you feel tense or anxious. It's a suru-verb, so it conjugates like する.
I'm nervous about tomorrow's presentation.
I always get nervous before interviews.
An onomatopoeic expression for the pounding heart feeling associated with nervousness or excitement. It's very common in casual speech and describes the physical sensation.
I was nervous on my first date.
Literally 'to become anxious'. This emphasizes the worry or unease aspect of nervousness, rather than just tension. It's often used when you're nervous about an uncertain outcome.
Describes a restless, fidgety kind of nervousness. You might pace around or can't sit still. It's an onomatopoeic word.
He was nervous and fidgety before the interview.
Expressing that you are nervous or worried about a particular thing, person, or outcome.
Expressing a mix of nervousness and excitement, like before a fun event or meeting someone special.
Onomatopoeia for excited anticipation. It's positive nervousness, like looking forward to something. Often used together with ドキドキ.
Referring to the nervous system in a biological or medical sense.
緊張する is the general term for nervousness/tension. ドキドキする focuses on the physical heartbeat sensation and can also be used for excitement. 不安になる emphasizes anxiety and worry about an uncertain future. Use 緊張する for most situations; use ドキドキ when you want to describe the pounding heart; use 不安 when the nervousness is more about fear or worry.
I get nervous worrying about the exam results.
I'm nervous about tomorrow's weather.
I'm worried about his health.
The verb form of 'to worry about ~'. It's slightly more active than the adjective form.
My mother is always nervous/worried about me.
Literally 'to be on one's mind'. It can mean to be curious, bothered, or slightly nervous about something. It's less intense than 心配.
That one thing he said makes me nervous/bothers me.
I always get excited/nervous before a trip.
A literary expression meaning 'one's heart pounds' with excitement or nervous anticipation. It's more dramatic and less common in daily conversation.
My heart pounded with nervous excitement before my first stage performance.
This is the word for 'nerve' or 'nervous system'. It is used in medical contexts, not for feelings.
diseases of the nervous system
Means 'nervous' in the sense of being high-strung, sensitive, or easily irritated. It describes a personality trait, not a temporary feeling.
He is a nervous/high-strung person.
Before a speech I get nervous (tense), but I'm also looking forward to it so my heart pounds (with excitement).
The loanword ナーバス (nābasu) exists in Japanese but it means 'sensitive' or 'touchy', not 'nervous' in the anxious sense. Avoid using it to mean you are nervous before an event.
He's feeling sensitive right now, so let's leave him alone.