How to Say “I am nervous” in Chinese
Feelings and opinions · HSK 3
"I am nervous" in Chinese is 我很紧张 (wǒ hěn jǐn zhāng). 紧张 literally means 'tight-tense'; the same word covers nervousness before a speech, tension before a job interview, and even a 'tense' political situation. Chinese adjectives almost always need 很 in front, even though 很 technically means 'very'; saying 我紧张 alone sounds incomplete or implies contrast ('I'm nervous, but.
Primary translation
我很紧张
wǒ hěn jǐn zhāng
Traditional: 我很緊張
When to use it
紧张 literally means 'tight-tense'; the same word covers nervousness before a speech, tension before a job interview, and even a 'tense' political situation. Chinese adjectives almost always need 很 in front, even though 很 technically means 'very'; saying 我紧张 alone sounds incomplete or implies contrast ('I'm nervous, but...'). For test anxiety specifically you'll hear 我好紧张啊 with 好 (hǎo) as an intensifier; this is more emotional and common among younger speakers. Don't confuse 紧张 with 害怕 (hài pà, afraid); 紧张 is butterflies; 害怕 is actual fear.
Example sentences
明天面试，我很紧张。
Míng tiān miàn shì, wǒ hěn jǐn zhāng.
I have an interview tomorrow, I'm really nervous.
别紧张，慢慢说。
Bié jǐn zhāng, màn man shuō.
Don't be nervous, speak slowly.
第一次上台演讲，我好紧张啊。
Dì yī cì shàng tái yǎn jiǎng, wǒ hǎo jǐn zhāng a.
It's my first time giving a speech on stage, I'm so nervous.