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nerviosa

nerr-vee-OH-sah/neɾˈβjosa/

“nerviosa” means “nervous” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

nervous, anxious

Also: stressed, agitated
A young character biting their fingernails and looking apprehensive with wide, worried eyes, illustrating anxiety.

📝 In Action

Ella estaba muy nerviosa antes de su presentación.

A1

She was very nervous before her presentation.

La niña se puso nerviosa cuando vio al perro grande.

A2

The girl got anxious when she saw the big dog.

Si estás nerviosa, respira profundamente.

A2

If you are nervous, breathe deeply.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ansiosa (anxious)
  • tensa (tense)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • estar nerviosa – to be nervous (temporary state)
  • ponerse nerviosa – to get nervous

tense, frantic

Also: highly charged
Two simplified human figures standing rigidly apart in a small room, avoiding eye contact, illustrating a tense atmosphere.

📝 In Action

La situación política se volvió muy nerviosa.

B1

The political situation became very tense.

Había una energía nerviosa en la sala de espera.

B2

There was a frantic energy in the waiting room.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • agitada (agitated)
  • tensión (tension (noun))

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "nerviosa" in Spanish:

frantic→highly charged→stressed→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: nerviosa

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'nerviosa'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
nervioso(nervous (masculine)) — Adjective
el nervio(the nerve (body part)) — Noun
el nerviosismo(nervousness) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'nervus,' meaning 'sinew' or 'strength.' In Spanish, 'nervio' still means nerve (the physical part), and 'nerviosa' evolved to describe a state of being emotionally affected by one's nerves.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: nervousItalian: nervosa

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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.'