テンション
Meanings
1
energy level; excitement; spirits; mood
Casual Japanese use, especially in phrases such as テンションが高い, テンションが低い, and テンションが上がる. It often means excitement or mood, not English-like mental strain.
You're really energetic today.
I just can't get excited this morning.
3
mental strain; anxiety; nervous tension
rare term
Rare English-like use for mental tension or anxiety. In ordinary modern Japanese, 緊張 or 不安 is usually more natural for this meaning.
Rarely, テンション can refer to mental strain.
Usage patterns
- テンションが高いto be in high spirits / very energetic
Everyone was in high spirits at the festival.
- テンションが低いto be in low spirits / lacking energy
I'm sleepy in the morning, so I have low energy.
- テンションを上げるto hype oneself up; to boost one's own energy
I listened to music before the game to hype myself up.
- テンションが下がるone's mood/energy drops
My mood drops when it rains.
Expressions
- テンションが上がるget excited; get hyped up; get in a good mood