In 15 Seconds
- Expresses high anxiety or intense jitters about a specific event.
- Uses 'estar' for temporary states and 'super' for modern emphasis.
- Commonly used in social, academic, and professional 'pre-game' moments.
Meaning
This phrase is used when you are feeling extremely anxious, jittery, or stressed about something. It describes that 'butterflies in the stomach' feeling before a big event or a difficult conversation.
Key Examples
3 of 6Before a job interview
Estou super nervoso para a entrevista de hoje.
I am super nervous for today's interview.
Texting a friend before a date
Amiga, estou super nervosa para o encontro!
Girl, I'm super nervous for the date!
Waiting for a plane (fear of flying)
Sempre fico super nervoso quando o avião decola.
I always get super nervous when the plane takes off.
Cultural Background
Brazilians use 'super' for almost everything: super legal, super caro, super difícil. It's the ultimate intensifier for the social media generation. In Portugal, you might hear 'estar aos papéis' (to be at the papers) when someone is so nervous they are confused or lost. In Luanda, 'estar mambo' can sometimes be used in slang to describe a 'thing' or a 'situation' of stress, but 'estar nervoso' remains the standard. In professional settings, it's common to 'quebrar o gelo' (break the ice) by admitting you are nervous. It's seen as a sign of taking the job seriously.
Use 'Tô' for extra fluency
Native speakers almost never say 'Eu estou' in casual conversation. Say 'Tô super nervoso' to sound like a local.
Watch the gender!
If you are a woman, you MUST say 'nervosa'. This is one of the most common mistakes for English speakers.
In 15 Seconds
- Expresses high anxiety or intense jitters about a specific event.
- Uses 'estar' for temporary states and 'super' for modern emphasis.
- Commonly used in social, academic, and professional 'pre-game' moments.
What It Means
Estar super nervoso is your go-to phrase for high-stress moments. In Portuguese, nervoso doesn't just mean angry. It usually means you are anxious or worried. Adding super makes it intense. You are not just worried; you are pacing the room. It is that feeling before a first date. It is the sweat on your palms before an interview. You feel like your heart is racing.
How To Use It
Use the verb estar because this is a temporary state. You aren't a nervous person forever. You are just nervous right now. If you are male, say nervoso. If you are female, say nervosa. You can drop the eu (I) because the verb estou tells us who is talking. Just say Estou super nervoso! for maximum impact. It sounds natural and very modern.
When To Use It
Use it when you are waiting for exam results. Use it at the dentist if you hate drills. It is perfect for texting friends when you're about to do something scary. If you are about to give a speech, tell your colleague Estou super nervosa. It helps break the ice. People will usually offer you a coffee or a hug. It is a very relatable human emotion.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in a very formal legal setting. Don't say it to a judge while testifying. It might make you look guilty instead of just anxious! Also, don't use it for minor things. If you're just choosing between pizza toppings, super nervoso is too dramatic. Unless, of course, the pizza choice defines your entire future. In that case, go ahead and be dramatic.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers are generally very expressive with their emotions. We don't hide our feelings behind a 'stiff upper lip.' Admitting you are super nervoso is seen as being honest and authentic. It often invites others to share their own stress. The word super became a popular intensifier in the last few decades. It replaced older, more formal words like extremamente. It feels youthful and energetic.
Common Variations
If you want to sound even more casual, try estar uma pilha. This means you are like a battery full of static electricity. You can also say estar com frio na barriga. This literally means 'having a cold belly,' or butterflies. For a more 'slang' vibe, younger people might say estar surtando. This means you are 'tripping out' or losing your mind from stress. But super nervoso remains the classic, most versatile choice.
Usage Notes
This phrase is highly versatile and sits comfortably in the informal/neutral register. Remember that 'nervoso' is an adjective, so it must agree in gender with the person who is feeling the emotion.
Use 'Tô' for extra fluency
Native speakers almost never say 'Eu estou' in casual conversation. Say 'Tô super nervoso' to sound like a local.
Watch the gender!
If you are a woman, you MUST say 'nervosa'. This is one of the most common mistakes for English speakers.
The 'Super' limit
While 'super' is common, don't use it in a formal email to your professor or a judge. Stick to 'muito' there.
Examples
6Estou super nervoso para a entrevista de hoje.
I am super nervous for today's interview.
A very common way to express professional anxiety.
Amiga, estou super nervosa para o encontro!
Girl, I'm super nervous for the date!
The feminine 'nervosa' is used here for a female speaker.
Sempre fico super nervoso quando o avião decola.
I always get super nervous when the plane takes off.
Describes a recurring feeling of anxiety.
Desculpe o suor, estou super nervoso com a apresentação.
Sorry about the sweat, I'm super nervous about the presentation.
Humorous way to acknowledge physical signs of stress.
Professor, estou super nervoso com a prova final.
Professor, I'm super nervous about the final exam.
Neutral enough for a student-teacher relationship.
Estou super nervoso assistindo meu filho jogar.
I'm super nervous watching my son play.
Expresses vicarious anxiety for a loved one.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'nervoso' or 'nervosa'.
A Maria está super _______ porque ela tem um encontro hoje.
Since Maria is female, the adjective must end in 'a'.
Which sentence is correct for a temporary feeling?
How do you say 'I am super nervous right now'?
'Estar' is used for temporary states and feelings.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
João: 'A apresentação é em 5 minutos!' Ana: 'Ai meu Deus, _______!'
Ana is a female name, so 'nervosa' is correct, and 'super' fits the informal, high-stress context.
Match the feeling to the situation.
Match 'Estar super nervoso' to the best scenario:
High-stakes situations trigger this level of nervousness.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ser vs Estar with Nervoso
Practice Bank
4 exercisesA Maria está super _______ porque ela tem um encontro hoje.
Since Maria is female, the adjective must end in 'a'.
How do you say 'I am super nervous right now'?
'Estar' is used for temporary states and feelings.
João: 'A apresentação é em 5 minutos!' Ana: 'Ai meu Deus, _______!'
Ana is a female name, so 'nervosa' is correct, and 'super' fits the informal, high-stress context.
Match 'Estar super nervoso' to the best scenario:
High-stakes situations trigger this level of nervousness.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! In informal Portuguese, 'super' is a universal intensifier (super feliz, super triste, super caro).
It's close, but 'freaking out' is usually translated as 'surtando'. 'Super nervoso' is slightly less extreme.
In some contexts, 'nervoso' implies a loss of emotional control, which can manifest as anger. However, 'super nervoso' usually means anxious.
Yes, but it's much more frequent in Brazil. In Portugal, it's mostly used by younger people.
The opposite would be 'estar super calmo' or 'estar super tranquilo'.
According to the new orthographic agreement, you only use a hyphen if the second word starts with 'h' or 'r'. So, 'super nervoso' (no hyphen) is correct.
No, 'super' is an adverb here and remains 'super' even if the subject is plural (Eles estão super nervosos).
You say 'Estou ficando nervoso' or 'Estou a ficar nervoso' (in Portugal).
If you have a friendly relationship, yes. If it's a very formal environment, use 'um pouco ansioso' instead.
It's an idiomatic way to say 'it makes me nervous' or 'it gives me the creeps'.
Related Phrases
estar ansioso
similarTo be anxious or looking forward to something.
estar uma pilha de nervos
specialized formTo be extremely stressed or on edge.
frio na barriga
idiomButterflies in the stomach.
estar calmo
contrastTo be calm.
