nervioso
/nair-vee-OH-soh/
nervous
When you are feeling anxious or agitated, you are nervioso (nervous).
nervioso(adjective)
nervous
?feeling anxious or agitated
,anxious
?worried about a future event
tense
?physically or mentally stressed
,agitated
?physically restless
📝 In Action
Estoy nervioso por la entrevista de trabajo de mañana.
A1I am nervous about tomorrow's job interview.
Mi hermana está muy nerviosa antes de subir al escenario.
A2My sister is very anxious before going up on stage.
No te pongas nervioso; todo va a salir bien.
B1Don't get nervous; everything is going to turn out well.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement is Key
Since 'nervioso' is an adjective, you must change the ending to match the person or thing you are describing. Use '-a' for feminine words (nerviosa), and '-os' or '-as' for plurals (nerviosos, nerviosas).
Use 'Estar' for Feelings
To express feeling nervous, always use the verb 'estar' (to be) because it describes a temporary emotional state, not a permanent characteristic.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser'
Mistake: "Soy nervioso."
Correction: Estoy nervioso.
⭐ Usage Tips
Intensifiers
To say 'very nervous,' you can use 'muy nervioso' or the super-Spanish word 'nerviosísimo' (extremely nervous).
Nervioso can also refer to anything relating to the nerves or nervous system.
nervioso(adjective)
nervous
?relating to the nerves or nervous system
neural
?relating to nerves
📝 In Action
El sistema nervioso central controla el cuerpo.
B2The central nervous system controls the body.
Sufrió daño en el tejido nervioso después del accidente.
C1He suffered damage to the nervous tissue after the accident.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Describes Nerves
In this usage, 'nervioso' describes something that is literally part of the body's nerve structure, like organs or cells. It functions like an English adjective.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
This meaning is almost exclusively used in formal settings like science classes, books, or medical reports.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: nervioso
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses the biological meaning of 'nervioso'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say that someone is a naturally nervous person?
While we usually use 'estar' to describe feeling nervous right now ('Estoy nervioso'), you can use 'ser' (Ser nervioso/a) to describe someone who is generally anxious or easily stressed as part of their character.
What is the difference between 'nervioso' and 'ansioso'?
'Nervioso' usually means you feel agitated or restless, often due to a known event (like a test). 'Ansioso' is slightly stronger and means 'anxious' or 'eager,' often involving a feeling of distress or worry about the future.