How to say "nervous" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- na-adjectiveCovers the sense of feeling nervous or on edge in a particular situation, such as before an interview or performance; it describes a temporary state rather than a personality trait.
- 神経質しんけいしつna-adjective, nounDescribes a highly strung, sensitive temperament — someone easily irritated or worried by small things. It is not the word for feeling nervous before an event; it characterizes a person's disposition.
Use 「ナーバス」 for the passing feeling of being nervous or on edge in a situation, and 神経質 for a person whose temperament is highly strung, sensitive, and easily bothered — a lasting trait rather than a momentary state.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
