How to say “I'm nervous” in Korean

  1. 긴장돼요ginjangdwaeyo

    I'm nervous

"I'm nervous" in Korean is 긴장돼 (ginjangdwae), or 긴장돼요 (ginjangdwaeyo) to be polite. For nervous excitement, like before a date or a concert, Koreans often say 떨려 (tteollyeo).

Ways to say it

KoreanLevelWhen to use it
긴장돼
ginjangdwae		Casual"I'm nervous" or "I'm tense." Before an exam, interview or performance.
긴장돼요
ginjangdwaeyo		PolitePolite. Fine with most people.
긴장됩니다
ginjangdoemnida		FormalFormal. Often heard from contestants or idols on stage.
떨려
tteollyeo		Casual"I'm shaking" or "I have butterflies." Nervous excitement. Polite: 떨려요 (tteollyeoyo).
걱정돼
geokjeongdwae		Casual"I'm worried." Anxious about how something will turn out. Polite: 걱정돼요 (geokjeongdwaeyo).

Examples

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Right before an exam

I'm so nervous.

Waiting for a first date

Ah, I have butterflies.

Waiting for test results

I'm a little worried.
Kkachi the magpie

Hanbok explains every word and ending in a sentence, with audio and a translation. Try it on this example, or paste your own line from a drama, a song or a text.

Tips

떨려 literally means "I'm trembling." Koreans use it for exciting nerves, like meeting your idol or confessing your feelings.

To calm someone, say 긴장하지 마 (ginjanghaji ma), "Don't be nervous," or cheer them on with 화이팅 (hwaiting).

Pronunciation: 긴장돼 sounds like "gin-jang-dwae."

Questions learners ask

How do you say "Don't be nervous" in Korean?

Say 긴장하지 마 (ginjanghaji ma) to a friend, or 긴장하지 마세요 (ginjanghaji maseyo) politely.

What does 떨려 mean?

떨려 (tteollyeo) means "I'm trembling." It is how Koreans say they feel nervous and excited at the same time.

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