긴장돼
ginjangdwae
In Korean, "I am nervous" is said as 긴장돼 (ginjangdwae).
This phrase is used to express that one feels anxious or tense, often before a stressful event.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify the phrase to change its tone or nuance. Adding the suffix –요 to the end of the phrase makes it polite, resulting in 긴장돼요. In informal speech, the word 난 is a contraction of 나는, meaning "I". You can also add the word 좀 to a phrase to mean "a bit". For example, 나 좀 긴장해 means "I am a bit nervous."
How do you pronounce it?
ginjangdwae
Did you know?
- The word 긴장 (tension) comes from Chinese characters meaning 'tighten' and 'bowstring'. It evokes the image of a bow string pulled taut just before an arrow is released.
- In high-pressure situations, Koreans might say they have 'butterflies' by saying their heart is 두근두근, which is an onomatopoeia for a thumping heartbeat.
- If you are so nervous that you are physically shaking, you might say you are 떨려, which comes from the verb 'to tremble'.
Examples in context
- 제가 큰 결정을 해야 해서 조금 긴장했어요.I have to make a big decision, so I am a little nervous.
- 내일 시험이라 난 긴장돼.I have an exam tomorrow, so I am nervous.
- 이상한 소리를 하면 나 좀 긴장해.If you say something strange, I get a bit nervous.
- 면접이라서 너무 긴장돼.myeon-jeob-i-ra-seo neo-mu gin-jang-dwae.I am so nervous because it's a job interview.
- 발표하기 전에 긴장돼요.bal-pyo-ha-gi jeon-e gin-jang-dwae-yo.I am nervous before giving a presentation.
- 첫 데이트라 긴장돼.cheot de-i-teu-ra gin-jang-dwae.I am nervous because it's our first date.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are waiting backstage before a concert performance.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨, 저 너무 긴장돼요.Subin ssi, jeo neo-mu gin-jang-dwae-yo.Subin, I am so nervous.
- 수빈 Su-bin괜찮아요, 잘 할 수 있어요.Gwaen-chan-a-yo, jal hal su is-seo-yo.It's okay, you can do well.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo심장이 너무 빨리 뛰어요.Sim-jang-i neo-mu ppal-li ttwi-eo-yo.My heart is beating so fast.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 조금만 심호흡 하세요.Hyunwoo ssi, jo-geum-man sim-ho-heup ha-se-yo.Hyunwoo, just take a few deep breaths.
