nerviosa
/nerr-vee-OH-sah/
nervous
When someone is nerviosa, they are feeling anxious or apprehensive (nervous).
nerviosa(Adjective)
nervous
?feeling anxiety or apprehension
,anxious
?worried about an upcoming event
stressed
?under mental pressure
,agitated
?physically restless
📝 In Action
Ella estaba muy nerviosa antes de su presentación.
A1She was very nervous before her presentation.
La niña se puso nerviosa cuando vio al perro grande.
A2The girl got anxious when she saw the big dog.
Si estás nerviosa, respira profundamente.
A2If you are nervous, breathe deeply.
💡 Grammar Points
Using SER vs. ESTAR
We use the verb 'estar' (like 'está nerviosa') because being nervous is usually a temporary feeling or a current emotional state, not a permanent characteristic.
Agreement Rule
Since this word ends in '-a', it is used to describe a singular female person or thing. For a male person, you would use 'nervioso'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Ending
Mistake: "La chica es nervioso."
Correction: La chica es nerviosa. (The ending must match the girl.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing the Cause
You can explain why someone is nervous by using 'por' (for/because of): 'nerviosa por el viaje' (nervous about the trip).
An atmosphere or situation that is strained or difficult is described as nerviosa (tense).
nerviosa(Adjective)
tense
?atmosphere or situation
,frantic
?describing an action or energy
highly charged
?full of tension
📝 In Action
La situación política se volvió muy nerviosa.
B1The political situation became very tense.
Había una energía nerviosa en la sala de espera.
B2There was a frantic energy in the waiting room.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing Things
This is a common way to give human feelings to non-human things. If the thing you are describing is feminine (like 'la atmósfera'), you use 'nerviosa'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
This meaning is often found in news reports or formal descriptions where the atmosphere is described as unstable or volatile.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: nerviosa
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'nerviosa'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use 'nerviosa' versus 'nervioso'?
'Nerviosa' is used only when describing a single female person or a feminine noun (like 'la atmósfera'). If you are describing a male person (like 'el chico'), you must use 'nervioso'.
Is 'nerviosa' related to the word 'nerve' in English?
Yes, both words share the same Latin root related to the physical nerves in the body. In both languages, the meaning extended from 'having strong nerves' to 'being easily agitated' or 'feeling anxious.'