tensión
/tenˈsjon/feminine
The English word "tension" is translated into Spanish as tensión.
tensión refers to a psychological state. In a medical context, the phrase tensión arterial is used to refer to blood pressure. You can also use the related verb tensionar to describe the act of placing an object in tension.
Meaning: psychological state (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the term tirantez is used to convey tension or strain.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun tensión is feminine and requires the feminine definite article la (e.g., la tensión).
How do you pronounce it?
/tenˈsjon/
Did you know?
- The word tensión can be used to describe the 'voltage' of an electrical circuit, blending the concepts of psychological stress and electrical energy in the same word.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word tensión is used colloquially to describe a very intense or 'electric' romantic chemistry between two people.
- The word tensión is a doublet of the Spanish word tesón, which means 'persistence' or 'tenacity'. Both words share the same Latin ancestor but evolved into very different meanings over time.
Examples in context
- No aguantó la tensión.They couldn't bear the tension.This sentence shows how to use tensión regarding the inability to bear it.Tatoeba #8317987 by arh, translation #10611243 by jrdnbrowne1
- Había mucha tensión entre Tom y Mary.There was a lot of tension between Tom and Mary.This sentence uses tensión to describe a situation between two people.Tatoeba #1526259 by marcelostockle, translation #1488730 by Spamster
- La tensión entre nosotros es palpable.The tension between us is palpable.This sentence uses tensión to describe a feeling between people that is palpable.Tatoeba #11816418 by saverius, translation #11816390 by Nuel
- siento una gran presión en esta situaciónI feel a lot of tension in this situation
- siento un agobio tremendo en el trabajoI feel tremendous tension at work
- se percibe un cierto nerviosismo en la salaa certain tension is perceived in the room
- hay mucha bronca en este ambientethere's a lot of tension in this environment
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are talking about a stressful work meeting.
- DanielSiento mucha tensión en la oficina hoy.I feel a lot of tension in the office today.
- LucíaEs normal, la tensión es constante este mes.It is normal, the tension is constant this month.
- Daniel¿Crees que la tensión bajará pronto?Do you think the tension will drop soon?
- LucíaEspero que sí, Daniel.I hope so, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tension” translations and entries tensión, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tensión, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
