nervioso
/neɾˈbjoso/
The English word nervous is translated into Spanish as nervioso.
Nervioso is a common way to say nervous in Spanish. While nervioso is the direct translation, you might also encounter preocupado (worried) to convey nervousness or intranquilo to emphasize a sense of restlessness or unease.
Meaning: apprehensive, anxious (adj)
Which one should you use?
The choice of the verb ser or estar changes the meaning: using ser with nervioso implies that being nervous is a permanent personality trait, whereas using estar implies a temporary state of anxiety.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, people often use the informal phrase estar cagado/a to emphasize that someone is nervous.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or group being described. Use nerviosa for a female, nerviosos for a group of males or a mixed-gender group and nerviosas for a group of only females.
How do you pronounce it?
/neɾˈbjoso/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word nervio can also refer to 'grit' or 'courage' in specific contexts, creating a paradox where having nervios can mean being brave.
- Using the vulgar Argentine phrase estar cagado to mean nervous literally translates to 'to be shitted', referring to the physical reaction of extreme fear.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, referring to los nervios as a noun can describe a collective state of family stress or a hereditary predisposition to anxiety.
Examples in context
- Yo me puse nervioso.I got nervous.This sentence is useful for expressing how you became nervous with nervioso.Tatoeba #4592941 by Francisco_M, translation #2245797 by CK
- Tom se puso nervioso.Tom became nervous.This sentence is useful for showing how someone else became nervous with nervioso.Tatoeba #1284304 by marcelostockle, translation #1095799 by CK
- No estaba muy nervioso.I wasn't very nervous.This sentence is useful for describing a state of not being very nervous with nervioso.Tatoeba #6731370 by arh, translation #6731321 by CK
- Estoy nervioso/a por la entrevista mañana.I am nervous about the interview tomorrow.
- Estoy preocupado/a por el examen de matemáticas.I am nervous about the math exam.
- Me siento intranquilo/a antes de la presentación.I feel nervous before the presentation.
- Estoy cagado/a de miedo por el discurso.I'm scared shitless about the speech.
- Estoy cagado/a de los nervios por el examen final.I'm nervous as hell about the final exam.
- Estoy nervioso/a antes de mi primera cita.I am nervous before my first date.
- 101 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are talking before a big presentation.
- AlejandroLucía, ¿estás nerviosa por la reunión?Lucía, are you nervous about the meeting?
- LucíaSí, estoy muy nerviosa ahora mismo.Yes, I am very nervous right now.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, yo también estoy nervioso.Don't worry, I am nervous too.
- LucíaGracias, Alejandro, me tranquiliza saberlo.Thanks, Alejandro, it reassures me to know that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nervous” translations and entries nervioso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
