In 15 Sekunden
- Used for personal nervousness or high-pressure situations.
- Literally means 'tightly stretched' like a string.
- Commonly paired with 'very' (很) or 'don't' (别).
Bedeutung
It describes that tight, butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling when you are anxious or stressed. It can also describe a high-pressure situation where time or resources are very limited.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Before a big presentation
要上台了，我心里特别紧张。
I'm about to go on stage, I feel especially nervous.
Running late for a flight
时间太紧张了，我们要快点！
Time is too tight, we need to hurry!
Watching a thriller movie
这部电影的剧情非常紧张。
The plot of this movie is very intense.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The term reflects a traditional Chinese emphasis on preparation and performance pressure. It is frequently used in the context of the intense education system and competitive job market. Interestingly, it is also used in military or political contexts to describe 'strained' international relations.
The 'Tight Money' Trick
If you want to sound like a local, use `紧张` to describe your budget. Saying `我的钱很紧张` is a polite, indirect way to say you're broke.
Not for Horror
Don't use `紧张` if a ghost is chasing you. That's `害怕` (fear). `紧张` is for when you're worried about failing or being late.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used for personal nervousness or high-pressure situations.
- Literally means 'tightly stretched' like a string.
- Commonly paired with 'very' (很) or 'don't' (别).
What It Means
紧张 (jǐnzhāng) is that universal feeling of being on edge. Think of a guitar string pulled too tight. That is exactly what the characters suggest. 紧 means tight and 张 means to stretch. When you use it, you are telling someone your nerves are taut. It covers everything from mild jitters to full-on stage fright.
How To Use It
You usually place it after the subject using 很 (hěn). You would say 我很紧张 to mean "I am nervous." It is an adjective, so it is very flexible. You can use it to describe your heart rate or even a schedule. If your boss gives you a deadline in ten minutes, your time is 紧张. It is a very common, everyday word.
When To Use It
Use it before a big job interview or a first date. It is perfect for when you are about to give a speech. You can also use it to describe a movie that is a real nail-biter. If you are watching a sports game and the score is tied, the atmosphere is definitely 紧张. It is the go-to word for any high-stakes moment.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use 紧张 if you are just physically tired or sleepy. It is about mental or situational pressure, not physical exhaustion. Also, do not use it to mean "scared" or "terrified" in a horror movie sense. For that, use 害怕 (hàipà). 紧张 is more about the pressure to perform or the stress of a situation. Don't use it for a relaxed, lazy Sunday afternoon!
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, admitting you are 紧张 is often seen as being humble. It shows you care about the outcome of what you are doing. During the 'Gaokao' (college entrance exams), the whole country feels 紧张 together. It is a shared emotional state during big life milestones. There is a certain communal respect for someone who is working through their nerves.
Common Variations
You might hear 别紧张 (bié jǐnzhāng), which means "don't be nervous." It is what friends say to calm you down. People also say 时间很紧张 (shíjiān hěn jǐnzhāng) when they are in a huge rush. If someone is acting very stiff or awkward, you might say they look 紧张. It is a very versatile tool for your emotional vocabulary.
Nutzungshinweise
紧张 is a neutral-register adjective. It is safe for all situations from business meetings to casual chats. Just remember it describes both internal feelings and external pressure (like time or money).
The 'Tight Money' Trick
If you want to sound like a local, use `紧张` to describe your budget. Saying `我的钱很紧张` is a polite, indirect way to say you're broke.
Not for Horror
Don't use `紧张` if a ghost is chasing you. That's `害怕` (fear). `紧张` is for when you're worried about failing or being late.
The Exam Culture
In China, 'exam nervousness' is so common that there are specific tea and foods meant to 'relieve 紧张' for students.
Beispiele
6要上台了，我心里特别紧张。
I'm about to go on stage, I feel especially nervous.
Using '心里' (in my heart) adds a personal touch to the feeling.
时间太紧张了，我们要快点！
Time is too tight, we need to hurry!
Here it describes a situation (time) rather than a person.
这部电影的剧情非常紧张。
The plot of this movie is very intense.
Describes the atmosphere or pacing of a story.
别紧张，你今天穿得很帅。
Don't be nervous, you look very handsome today.
A common way to offer encouragement.
一看到她，我就紧张得说不出话。
As soon as I see her, I get so nervous I can't speak.
Uses the 'adjective + 得' structure to show result.
这个月的钱有点紧张。
Money is a bit tight this month.
A common idiom for being low on cash.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best word to describe feeling anxious before an exam.
明天要考试了，我感到很___。
紧张 (jǐnzhāng) is the correct word for feeling nervous or anxious about a future event.
Complete the sentence to tell someone to relax.
放松点，___紧张。
别 (bié) is used for negative imperatives, meaning 'don't'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 紧张
Talking to friends about a crush.
我好紧张啊！
Standard daily usage for exams or work.
面试让我很紧张。
Describing international relations or economics.
两国关系趋于紧张。
When to use 紧张
Public Speaking
Giving a speech
Short Deadlines
Time is running out
Financial Stress
Low bank balance
Exciting Sports
A close game
Aufgabensammlung
2 Aufgaben明天要考试了，我感到很___。
紧张 (jǐnzhāng) is the correct word for feeling nervous or anxious about a future event.
放松点，___紧张。
别 (bié) is used for negative imperatives, meaning 'don't'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot exactly. Use it for anxiety or pressure. If you are afraid of heights, use 害怕 (hàipà) instead.
You can say 我开始紧张了 (Wǒ kāishǐ jǐnzhāng le) to show the feeling is starting now.
Yes, it's neutral. It shows you take the work seriously, but don't overdo it or you might seem unprepared.
The most common opposite is 放松 (fàngsōng), which means to relax.
Usually, it describes a temporary state. To call someone a 'nervous person,' you'd say they are 容易紧张的人.
You say 时间很紧张 (shíjiān hěn jǐnzhāng), which literally means 'time is very tight'.
Mostly it's neutral or slightly negative, but in a 'tense movie' context, it's a compliment to the director!
Yes, like 肌肉紧张 (jīròu jǐnzhāng) for muscle tension, though this is a bit more medical/technical.
Young people might use 压力山大 (yālì shāndà) to mean they are under 'mountain-sized' pressure, which is a related feeling.
The most common phrase is 别紧张 (bié jǐnzhāng), often said with a friendly smile.
Verwandte Redewendungen
担心
To worry
压力
Pressure / Stress
放松
To relax
不安
Uneasy / Restless
