How to Say "Tension" in Japanese

緊張

kinchō[kʲĩɲ̟t͡ɕo̞ː]

The English word "tension" (referring to a psychological state) is translated into Japanese as 緊張 (kinchō).

緊張 refers to a state of psychological tension or nervousness.

Meaning: psychological state (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

kinchō

While 緊張 describes nervousness, Japanese speakers often use the loanword テンション ('tension') to describe high energy or excitement. If someone has ハイテンション ('high tension'), they are being hyper or enthusiastic rather than stressed.
To describe the act of relaxing or 'breaking the tension', Japanese uses the phrase 緊張をほぐす ('kinchō o hogusu'). The verb ほぐす literally means to unravel a knot or massage a stiff muscle.
In professional settings, someone might say 緊張していい汗をかいた ('kinchō shite ii ase o kaita'), meaning they 'broke a good sweat' from tension. This implies that the nervousness was productive or healthy.

彼の冗談で室内の緊張がほぐれた。
His joke eased the tension in the room.
This sentence shows how the word 緊張 can be used to describe the tension in a room being eased.
Tatoeba #116903 by tommy__san, translation #286764 by CM
試合当日は緊張で一睡もできないまま朝を迎えた。
The tension on the day of the match made me greet the morning without even sleeping a wink.
This sentence illustrates how 緊張 can describe the tension felt before a match causing a lack of sleep.
Tatoeba #3064178 by tommy_san, translation #3064566 by Tappity
冷戦の緊張が高まった。
Cold-war tension has mounted.
This sentence demonstrates how 緊張 is used to describe mounting political tension.
Tatoeba #77650 by mookeee, translation #326068 by CN
明日の面接がドキドキする
I'm feeling nervous about tomorrow's interview

Kenta is preparing for a big speech and Yui is encouraging him.

結衣 Yui

健太さんは緊張していますか？
Kenta-san wa kinchou shite imasu ka?
Are you nervous, Kenta?
健太 Kenta

はい、とても緊張しています。
Hai, totemo kinchou shite imasu.
Yes, I am very nervous.
結衣 Yui

大丈夫、うまくいくよ。
Daijoubu, umaku iku yo.
It's okay, you'll do fine.
健太 Kenta

ありがとうございます、頑張ります。
Arigatou gozaimasu, ganbarimasu.
Thank you, I will do my best.

Sources

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