nerviosos
ner-BYOH-sohs
/nerˈβjosos/
📝 In Action
Mis hermanos están muy nerviosos por el examen de mañana.
A1My brothers are very nervous about tomorrow's exam.
Ellos no son chicos nerviosos, suelen estar muy tranquilos.
A2They aren't nervous boys; they are usually very calm.
Nos pusimos nerviosos cuando escuchamos el ruido.
B1We got nervous when we heard the noise.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing Groups
Use this form ('-os') when talking about a group of males or a mixed group of males and females. If the group is only females, you must change it to 'nerviosas'.
Feeling vs. Personality
Use 'estar' if they are feeling nervous right now, and 'ser' if they are generally nervous/anxious people by nature.
❌ Common Pitfalls
The 'Mixed Group' Rule
Mistake: “Using 'nerviosas' for a group of 10 women and 1 man.”
Correction: You must use 'nerviosos'. In Spanish, even one male in a group makes the whole group description use the '-os' ending.
⭐ Usage Tips
Getting Nervous
In English, we say we 'get' nervous. In Spanish, use the phrase 'ponerse nerviosos' to show that change in emotion.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: nerviosos
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly describes a group of 5 men who are currently feeling anxious?
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'nerviosos' for a group of women?
Only if there is at least one man in the group. If the group is 100% women, you must use 'nerviosas'.
What's the difference between 'ser' and 'estar' with this word?
'Estar nerviosos' means the people are feeling nervous in this moment. 'Ser nerviosos' means they are high-strung or anxious people as part of their personality.