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tenso

TEN-so/ˈtenso/

“tenso” means “tight” in Spanish (physically stretched).

tight, tense

Also: taut, strained
A thick rope being pulled horizontally from both sides until it is perfectly straight and tight.

📝 In Action

La cuerda tiene que estar muy tensa para que funcione.

A2

The rope has to be very tight for it to work.

Hoy me siento un poco tenso por la reunión de mañana.

B1

I feel a bit tense today because of tomorrow's meeting.

Había un ambiente tenso en la oficina después de la noticia.

B2

There was a strained atmosphere in the office after the news.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tirante (tight/taut)
  • nervioso (nervous)
  • estresado (stressed)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ambiente tenso – tense atmosphere
  • músculos tensos – tense muscles
  • silencio tenso – tense silence

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "tenso" in Spanish:

strained→taut→tense→tight→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: tenso

Question 1 of 2

If a guitar string is pulled very tight, you would say it is...

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
tensión(tension) — Noun
tensar(to tighten) — Verb
tensamente(tensely) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'tensus', which means 'stretched.' This comes from the same root as the English word 'tension.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: tenseFrench: tendu

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'tenso' to describe a person's personality?

Generally, no. 'Tenso' describes a state (how someone feels right now). If someone is always a nervous or 'intense' person, you would use 'nervioso' or 'intenso' with the verb 'ser'.

Is 'tenso' the same as 'estresado'?

They are very similar! 'Estresado' specifically means you have a lot of work or pressure, while 'tenso' can be about the physical feeling in your muscles or a nervous vibe in a room.