Korean Dictionary
How to say "Nervous" in Korean
“Nervous” in Korean is 긴장하다 (pronounced "Ginjanghada").
긴장하다
Ginjanghada
Usage & Context
Describes physical and mental tension before an important event like a performance or interview. 긴장하지 마세요 (Don't be nervous) is a common encouragement phrase. Athletes and performers use this word constantly.
Example Sentence
발표 전에 너무 긴장했어요.
I was so nervous before the presentation.
How to use 긴장하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Nervous” is 긴장하다, romanized as Ginjanghada.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 긴장하다.
Pronunciation Guide
긴 (gin) sounds like 'gin' in 'ginger'. 장 (jang) sounds like 'jahng' as in 'jangly'. 하 (ha) sounds like 'ha' in 'haha'. 다 (da) sounds like 'da' in 'data'. Put it together: 'Gin-jahng-ha-da'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
긴장해요
Ginjanghaeyo
Common polite form.
Casual (반말)
긴장해
Ginjanghae
Common casual form.
More Example Sentences
Feeling nervous before a first date.
첫 데이트라 너무 긴장돼서 아무 말도 못 했어요.
It was my first date, so I was so nervous I couldn't say anything.
Athletes before a competition.
경기 시작 전에 선수들이 모두 긴장한 모습이었어요.
Before the game started, all the players looked nervous.
Public speaking jitters.
발표 준비는 다 했는데, 막상 무대에 서려니 긴장되네요.
I prepared everything for the presentation, but I'm nervous now that I'm about to stand on stage.
Cultural Context
긴장하다 is a very common expression, especially in performance-oriented or high-stakes situations. It's often accompanied by encouragement like '긴장하지 마!' (Don't be nervous!) from friends or colleagues. In K-pop, idols often talk about feeling '긴장' before a comeback stage or a big award show, showing a relatable human side despite their polished image. It's a temporary, event-specific feeling.
Editorial note
We review entries like 긴장하다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
긴장하지 마세요
Please don't be nervous (polite encouragement)
긴장 풀다
To relax, relieve tension
긴장감
Tension, sense of tension
Related Expressions
떨리다
Tteollida
To tremble, shake (often due to nervousness)
초조하다
Chojohada
To be restless, fidgety (can be a symptom of nervousness)
편안하다
Pyeonanhanada
To be comfortable, relaxed (antonym)
안정되다
Anjeongdoeda
To become stable, calm down (antonym)
More Emotions Words
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