Inklingo

How to Say "tense" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “tense” is “nervioso” — use 'nervioso' when describing a person's feeling of being anxious or stressed, either physically or mentally..

nervioso🔊A1

Use 'nervioso' when describing a person's feeling of being anxious or stressed, either physically or mentally.

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tenso🔊A2

Use 'tenso' to describe a situation, object, or person as being strained, tight, or under pressure.

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caliente🔊B2

Use 'caliente' informally to describe a situation or atmosphere that is heated, intense, or potentially explosive.

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cargado🔊B2

Use 'cargado' to describe an atmosphere or situation that is heavy, charged with tension, or full of unspoken emotion.

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eléctricoB2

Use 'eléctrico' to describe a situation or atmosphere that is extremely exciting, full of energy, and buzzing with anticipation.

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tiempo🔊B2

Use 'tiempo' specifically when referring to the grammatical concept of verb tenses in language study.

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English → Spanish

nervioso

/nair-vee-OH-soh//neɾˈβjoso/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'nervioso' when describing a person's feeling of being anxious or stressed, either physically or mentally.
A simplified illustration of a small rabbit looking anxious, nervously rubbing its paws together.

Examples

Estoy nervioso por la entrevista de trabajo de mañana.

I am nervous about tomorrow's job interview.

Mi hermana está muy nerviosa antes de subir al escenario.

My sister is very anxious before going up on stage.

No te pongas nervioso; todo va a salir bien.

Don't get nervous; everything is going to turn out well.

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.

Using 'Ser'

Mistake: “Soy nervioso.”

Correction: Estoy nervioso.

tenso

/TEN-so//ˈtenso/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'tenso' to describe a situation, object, or person as being strained, tight, or under pressure.
A thick rope being pulled horizontally from both sides until it is perfectly straight and tight.

Examples

La cuerda tiene que estar muy tensa para que funcione.

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

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

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

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

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

Matching the word it describes

This word must change to match the gender of the person or object: use 'tenso' for men/masculine things and 'tensa' for women/feminine things.

Tenso vs. Tensión

Mistake: “Using 'tengo tenso' to say you have tension.”

Correction: Say 'estoy tenso' (I am tense) or 'tengo tensión' (I have tension).

caliente

/ka-lyen-te//kaˈljente/

adjectiveB2informal
Use 'caliente' informally to describe a situation or atmosphere that is heated, intense, or potentially explosive.
Two simplified figures standing close together, facing each other with tense expressions, separated by jagged, crackling red energy lines, symbolizing a tense atmosphere.

Examples

La cosa se está poniendo caliente en la oficina por los despidos.

Things are getting tense at the office because of the layoffs.

La inmigración es un tema caliente en la política actual.

Immigration is a hot topic in politics right now.

Tuvieron una discusión muy caliente sobre dinero.

They had a very heated argument about money.

cargado

kar-GAH-doh/kaɾˈɣaðo/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'cargado' to describe an atmosphere or situation that is heavy, charged with tension, or full of unspoken emotion.
Two cartoon figures standing rigidly far apart in a room, with dark, heavy storm clouds forming above their heads, symbolizing a tense atmosphere.

Examples

Había un ambiente cargado de tensión en la sala de reuniones.

There was an atmosphere heavy with tension in the meeting room.

Se siente cargado por las responsabilidades de su nuevo puesto.

He feels burdened by the responsibilities of his new position.

eléctrico

adjectiveB2general
Use 'eléctrico' to describe a situation or atmosphere that is extremely exciting, full of energy, and buzzing with anticipation.

Examples

El ambiente en el estadio era eléctrico antes de que empezara el concierto.

The atmosphere in the stadium was electric before the concert began.

tiempo

/tyem-po//ˈtjempo/

nounB2academic
Use 'tiempo' specifically when referring to the grammatical concept of verb tenses in language study.
A horizontal arrow with three dots on it, representing past, present, and future.

Examples

Hoy vamos a estudiar los tiempos verbales del pasado.

Today we are going to study the past verb tenses.

El primer tiempo del partido terminó en empate.

The first half of the match ended in a draw.

El director marcó el tiempo con su batuta.

The conductor marked the time with his baton.

Feeling vs. Atmosphere

Learners often confuse 'nervioso' (a personal feeling of anxiety) with words describing an atmosphere like 'caliente' or 'cargado'. Remember: 'nervioso' is about *how someone feels*, while the others describe the *vibe of a place or situation*.

Related Translations

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