15秒了解
- Used to describe feeling jittery, anxious, or uneasy about something.
- Commonly paired with 'vor' (before) or 'wegen' (because of).
- Neutral formality, suitable for work, school, or personal life.
意思
It describes that jittery, fluttery feeling in your stomach before something important happens, like an exam or a first date.
关键例句
3 / 7Before a job interview
Ich bin vor dem Vorstellungsgespräch sehr nervös.
I am very nervous before the job interview.
Talking to a friend about a date
Bist du nervös wegen unseres Dates heute Abend?
Are you nervous because of our date tonight?
In a classroom before an exam
Alle Studenten sind vor der Prüfung nervös.
All students are nervous before the exam.
文化背景
The 'Abitur' (final high school exams) is a major source of being 'nervös'. It's a rite of passage where 'Prüfungsangst' is a common topic of conversation. In Vienna, the 'Opernball' (Opera Ball) is a high-society event where debutantes are famously 'nervös' before their first dance. Swiss culture values 'Pünktlichkeit' (punctuality). Being late for {ein|m} Termin can make a Swiss person very 'nervös'. German theater has a long tradition. 'Lampenfieber' is the specific word for being 'nervös' before a performance, and it's considered a sign of a good actor.
The 'Nervig' Trap
Always double-check if you want to say you are nervous or annoying. This is the #1 mistake for English speakers.
Use 'total'
To sound more like a native speaker, use 'total nervös' instead of 'sehr nervös' in casual conversations.
15秒了解
- Used to describe feeling jittery, anxious, or uneasy about something.
- Commonly paired with 'vor' (before) or 'wegen' (because of).
- Neutral formality, suitable for work, school, or personal life.
What It Means
nervös sein is that universal feeling of butterflies. Your heart races and your hands might shake. It is the gap between wanting to do well and fearing you won't. In German, it is a very common way to express this physical and mental tension. It is not just being "scared"; it is being "jittery" or "on edge."
How To Use It
The grammar is very friendly. You just need the subject and the verb sein. For example, Ich bin nervös. If you want to point to a specific cause, use the preposition vor (before). You could say Ich bin nervös vor der Prüfung. This means "I am nervous before the exam." You can also use wegen (because of). Just remember that nervös is an adjective, so it stays the same after the verb.
When To Use It
This phrase fits almost everywhere. Use it in a job interview to show you are human. Use it when texting a friend before a first date. It works perfectly in a doctor's waiting room. Even professional athletes use it before a big match. It is a neutral, safe way to describe your feelings. It bridges the gap between formal and casual settings perfectly.
When NOT To Use It
A common trap is using it for "annoyed." In English, we sometimes say "you're getting on my nerves." In German, that is du nervst mich. If you feel irritated, use genervt. Also, distinguish it from ängstlich (fearful). Nervös is about the jitters, while ängstlich is about actual fear. If you are just happy-excited, like on Christmas morning, use aufgeregt instead.
Cultural Background
German culture often emphasizes "Sorgfalt" (diligence). Because people want to do things correctly, being nervös is seen as a natural side effect of high standards. It is not seen as a weakness. In fact, saying Ich bin ein bisschen nervös can break the ice in a tense meeting. It shows you are invested in the outcome and take the situation seriously.
Common Variations
You can spice it up with total or echt. Ich bin echt nervös sounds very natural. If you want to sound more specific about stage fright, you could say Ich habe Lampenfieber. This specifically refers to performing. If someone else is causing the feeling, you can say Du machst mich nervös. This shifts the focus to the person making you feel uneasy.
使用说明
The phrase is neutral and very versatile. Just be careful not to confuse it with 'genervt' (annoyed), which is a very common mistake for English speakers.
The 'Nervig' Trap
Always double-check if you want to say you are nervous or annoying. This is the #1 mistake for English speakers.
Use 'total'
To sound more like a native speaker, use 'total nervös' instead of 'sehr nervös' in casual conversations.
Admitting it is okay
In Germany, it's considered honest and human to admit you're nervous before a big task.
例句
7Ich bin vor dem Vorstellungsgespräch sehr nervös.
I am very nervous before the job interview.
Using 'vor' indicates the upcoming event causing the feeling.
Bist du nervös wegen unseres Dates heute Abend?
Are you nervous because of our date tonight?
A casual way to check in on someone's feelings.
Alle Studenten sind vor der Prüfung nervös.
All students are nervous before the exam.
Describes a collective state of mind.
Ich bin total nervös, drück mir die Daumen!
I'm totally nervous, cross your fingers for me!
'Total' adds emphasis in informal texting.
Er ist so nervös, dass er seinen Namen vergessen hat.
He is so nervous that he forgot his own name.
Uses the 'so... dass' construction for a funny effect.
Das Warten auf die Ergebnisse macht mich nervös.
Waiting for the results is making me nervous.
Here, the situation 'makes' the person nervous.
Seien Sie nicht nervös, Sie haben sich gut vorbereitet.
Don't be nervous; you have prepared well.
A formal way to encourage someone using the 'Sie' form.
自我测试
Fill in the correct form of 'sein' and the word 'nervös'.
Ich ___ heute sehr ___, weil ich {die|f} Prüfung habe.
The subject 'Ich' requires the verb form 'bin'.
Which preposition is correct?
Bist du nervös ___ {dem|m} ersten Date?
In German, we use 'vor' to indicate what we are nervous about.
Match the German phrase to its English meaning.
Match them up!
Distinguishing between these similar feelings is key.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum läufst du so schnell hin und her? B: ______
Pacing back and forth is a sign of being 'nervös'.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
练习题库
4 练习Ich ___ heute sehr ___, weil ich {die|f} Prüfung habe.
The subject 'Ich' requires the verb form 'bin'.
Bist du nervös ___ {dem|m} ersten Date?
In German, we use 'vor' to indicate what we are nervous about.
将左侧的每个项目与右侧的配对匹配:
Distinguishing between these similar feelings is key.
A: Warum läufst du so schnell hin und her? B: ______
Pacing back and forth is a sign of being 'nervös'.
🎉 得分： /4
常见问题
4 个问题Mostly, yes. It implies a lack of calm. If you want to be positive, use 'aufgeregt'.
Yes, the medical term is '{das|n} Nervensystem'.
'Nervös' is usually about an event. 'Unruhig' is a general feeling of restlessness.
Du machst mich nervös.
相关表达
aufgeregt sein
similarto be excited/agitated
Lampenfieber haben
specialized formto have stage fright
jemanden nervös machen
builds onto make someone nervous
die Nerven verlieren
builds onto lose one's cool/nerves
