紧张
jǐnzhāng
nervous / tense
紧张 means nervous or tense. Useful before exams, presentations, interviews, or when things feel stressful.
Example sentences
考试前我很紧张。
Kǎoshì qián wǒ hěn jǐnzhāng.
I am very nervous before the exam.
别紧张，慢慢说。
Bié jǐnzhāng, màn man shuō.
Don't be nervous, speak slowly.
How to use 紧张 in practice
紧张 is a emotions & feelings item that is easiest to learn inside a complete sentence. Read it with the pinyin jǐnzhāng, then connect it to the meaning “nervous / tense” before trying to use it from memory. The examples on this page show the phrase in context: 考试前我很紧张。 / 别紧张，慢慢说。.
When you practice 紧张, do not stop at recognition. Say one example aloud, swap in a new person, place, object, or time word, and then use the phrase in a short answer. This turns a glossary entry into real Mandarin output and exposes word-order or pronunciation mistakes quickly.
Common learner mistake
A common learner mistake is to memorize 紧张 only as “nervous / tense” and then translate word by word from English. Instead, learn the whole chunk with the words around it. Notice which nouns, verbs, measure words, or polite markers appear before and after the phrase, and copy that pattern in your own sentence.
Mini practice prompt
Practice prompt: open Job interview guide, start a short conversation, and use 紧张 naturally in your first or second reply. If the sentence feels awkward, compare it with the examples above and try again with a smaller sentence.
Memory tip: review 紧张 tomorrow by covering the English meaning, reading only jǐnzhāng, and producing a sentence before checking the examples. Active recall helps this word survive beyond one reading session.
Practice related pages
FAQ
How do I say "I have stage fright" in Chinese?
You can say 我上台很紧张 or simply 我很紧张 when the context is clear.
How can I remember 紧张 faster?
Say 紧张 inside a full sentence, change one detail, and repeat it in a realistic prompt. The combination of sound, meaning, and context is stronger than memorizing the translation alone.
Can I use 紧张 in conversation practice?
Yes. Start with the example sentence, then use 紧张 in a short AI conversation so you can see whether the surrounding word order and tone feel natural.
Published by AI Chinese Coach