nerveux
/nɛʁ.vø/
The English word "nervous" is translated into French as nerveux.
nerveux is used to mean apprehensive or anxious. It is also frequently used to describe someone who is physically jittery or high-strung.
Meaning: apprehensive, anxious (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is nerveux, which also serves as the masculine plural form. The feminine singular form is nerveuse, and the feminine plural form is nerveuses.
How do you pronounce it?
/nɛʁ.vø/. The word has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In a culinary context, nerveux can be used to describe a piece of meat that is tough or contains a lot of connective tissue.
- In French, nerveux can describe a powerful or explosive physical movement, such as a 'nervous' acceleration in a car or a 'nervous' strike in boxing.
- The Latin root of nerveux refers to 'sinew' or 'tendon' rather than the biological nervous system we think of today.
Examples in context
- Ça me rend nerveux.It's making me nervous.This sentence is useful for describing how something makes you feel using nerveux.Tatoeba #1309871 by sacredceltic, translation #1309815 by CK
- Tu es trop nerveux.You're too nervous.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is being too nerveux.Tatoeba #10932433 by lbdx, translation #2218452 by CK
- Tu as l'air nerveux.You look nervous.This sentence is useful for describing how someone looks using nerveux.Tatoeba #5299518 by pititnatole, translation #1895715 by CK
- Je suis inquiet(e) à propos de cette réunionI am anxious about this meeting
- Je suis rongé(e) par l'anxiété avant l'examenI am consumed with anxiety before the exam
- Je suis super stressé(e) pour ce rendez-vousI am super stressed about this appointment
- Je me sens mal à l'aise avant de parler en publicI feel nervous before speaking in public
- 173 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan is waiting for his turn to speak at a conference.
- NathanJe suis vraiment nerveux, Manon.I am really nervous, Manon.
- ManonNe t'inquiète pas, Nathan, tu vas réussir.Don't worry, Nathan, you are going to succeed.
- NathanJ'espère, mais mon cœur bat vite.I hope so, but my heart is beating fast.
- ManonRespire un grand coup et tout ira bien.Take a deep breath and everything will be fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nervous” translations and entries nerveux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nerveux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
