Inklingo
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tensión

/ten-SEE-ohn/

tension

A small cartoon character struggling to lift an oversized, heavy gray cube, visually representing stress or anxiety.

Tensión describing stress, anxiety, or strained relations.

tensión(noun)

fB1

tension

?

stress, anxiety, strained relations

Also:

stress

?

psychological pressure

,

strain

?

conflict between groups/people

📝 In Action

Siento mucha tensión antes de una presentación importante.

A2

I feel a lot of tension/stress before an important presentation.

La tensión política entre los dos países es preocupante.

B1

The political tension between the two countries is worrying.

Para aliviar la tensión, salimos a caminar un rato.

B1

To relieve the stress/tension, we went out for a walk for a while.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • aliviar la tensión – to relieve the tension
  • crear tensión – to create tension

💡 Grammar Points

Feeling Tensión

Use the verb 'sentir' (to feel) when talking about your own stress: 'Siento mucha tensión.' (I feel a lot of stress.)

❌ Common Pitfalls

Tensión vs. Presión

Mistake: "Using 'presión' when describing emotional stress."

Correction: While 'presión' works, 'tensión' is much more common for describing general emotional or relational stress.

⭐ Usage Tips

Use with 'Haber'

To describe a tense atmosphere, use 'haber' (there is/was): 'Había tensión en el aire.' (There was tension in the air.)

A simplified, colorful illustration of a cartoon arm with a blood pressure cuff inflating, showing internal pressure lines pulsing rapidly.

Tensión as blood pressure (tensión arterial).

tensión(noun)

fB2

blood pressure

?

medical measurement (short for 'tensión arterial')

Also:

pressure

?

in a medical setting

📝 In Action

El doctor me dijo que mi tensión está un poco alta.

B2

The doctor told me my blood pressure is a bit high.

¿Te has tomado la tensión hoy?

B2

Have you taken your blood pressure today?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tensión arterial (arterial pressure)
  • presión sanguínea (blood pressure)

Antonyms

  • hipotensión (low blood pressure)

Common Collocations

  • tensión alta / baja – high / low blood pressure
  • tomarse la tensión – to take one's blood pressure

💡 Grammar Points

The Short Form

While the full term is 'tensión arterial,' native speakers almost always shorten it simply to 'tensión' when talking about health.

A thick, bright red rope pulled extremely taut between two solid anchor posts, visibly vibrating from the strain.

Tensión describing physical strain or tightness.

tensión(noun)

fB2

tension

?

physical strain or tightness

Also:

strain

?

muscle strain

,

tightness

?

of a rope or wire

📝 In Action

Sufrió una tensión en los isquiotibiales mientras corría.

B2

He suffered a strain in his hamstrings while running.

Hay que ajustar la tensión de las cuerdas de la guitarra.

B2

We have to adjust the tension of the guitar strings.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tirantez (tautness)
  • fuerza (force)

Common Collocations

  • tensión muscular – muscle tension/tightness
A stylized illustration of a simple electrical outlet socket connected to a thick wire, with bright blue electrical arcs visibly jumping from the wire terminal.

Tensión referring to electrical voltage.

tensión(noun)

fC1

voltage

?

electrical force

Also:

potential difference

?

physics

📝 In Action

La tensión eléctrica estándar en Europa es de 230 voltios.

C1

The standard electric voltage in Europe is 230 volts.

Conectar un aparato de 110V a una alta tensión puede dañarlo.

C1

Connecting a 110V appliance to high voltage can damage it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • voltaje (voltage)

Common Collocations

  • alta tensión – high voltage
  • baja tensión – low voltage

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: tensión

Question 1 of 2

Which meaning of 'tensión' is used in the phrase: 'Mi abuelo se toma la tensión todas las mañanas'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

tenso(tense (adjective)) - adjective
tensionar(to put under tension (verb)) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'tensión' always feminine?

Yes, 'tensión' is a feminine noun, so you must always use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la tensión alta').

How is 'tensión' different from 'presión'?

'Presión' means literal pressure (like air pressure or a deadline pressing down on you). 'Tensión' is usually used for psychological stress, relationship strain, muscle tightness, or electrical voltage. While they overlap (especially in 'blood pressure,' which can be 'tensión' or 'presión'), 'tensión' covers more of the emotional and strained relationship meanings.