nervös
nervous
Being inwardly restless, excited, or tense, often out of fear or anticipation before a specific event.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Vorstellungsgespräch war sie sehr nervös.
She was very nervous before the job interview.
nervös
nervous
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Meanings
nervös
nervous
In medicine: relating to the nerves or originating from the nervous system.
EXAMPLE
Die Krankheit ist auf eine nervöse Störung zurückzuführen.
The illness is due to a nervous disorder.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'nervös' (nervous) belongs to the word family of 'der Nerv' (nerve). It describes a state in which the nerves are tense.
EXAMPLE
Laute Geräusche gehen mir auf die Nerven.
Loud noises get on my nerves.
Typical construction
A very common construction is 'jemanden nervös machen' (to make someone nervous). The subject is the thing that causes the restlessness, and the person is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Das lange Warten macht mich ganz nervös.
The long wait is making me really nervous.
Correct preposition
When naming the cause of the nervousness, you usually use the preposition 'vor' (before / because of) with the dative, especially with future events.
EXAMPLE
Viele Leute sind vor einer wichtigen Prüfung nervös.
Many people are nervous before an important exam.
Context clue
You can recognize the medical meaning from the context. It is used in technical language and in connection with medical terms such as 'System' (system), 'Störung' (disorder), or 'Leiden' (condition).
EXAMPLE
Das vegetative Nervensystem steuert viele Körperfunktionen.
The autonomic nervous system controls many bodily functions.
Compare with
nervös vs unsicher
uncertain / insecure
When describing a person, “unsicher” usually emphasizes a lack of self-confidence and inhibited behavior. “Nervös,” by contrast, describes acute inner restlessness or tension before an event. Before a presentation, “unsicher” fits when Lena doubts herself, while “nervös” fits when she is tense with excitement.
nervös
Vor dem Vortrag ist Lena nervös, weil sie gleich vor Publikum sprechen muss.
Lena is nervous before the presentation because she has to speak in front of an audience soon.
unsicher
Vor dem Vortrag wirkt Lena unsicher, weil sie ihrer Antwort nicht vertraut.
Lena seems insecure before the presentation because she doesn’t trust her answer.
In real life
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