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March 24, 2026
紧张(緊張)jǐnzhāng(jin3zhang1)
紧张 (jǐnzhāng) describes a state of being nervous or tense, often in situations requiring focus or where anxiety is present. It can also refer to a feeling of strain or pressure, whether emotional or physical, and can be used in contexts such as exams, public speaking, or competitive events.
Frequency#663DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 紧张 is often associated with group activities like exams or important meetings, where collective pressure can amplify individual anxiety. This reflects the high value placed on academic and professional success.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tightrope walker (紧) balancing precariously above a crowd, feeling the pressure (张) of everyone watching. The tension in the air makes them feel both nervous and focused, embodying the essence of 紧张.
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AI Study Notes for 紧张
Quick Contrast
焦虑 (jiāolǜ) refers specifically to anxiety or worry about future events, while 紧张 (jǐnzhāng) encompasses a broader range of tension including physical stress and nervousness in the moment.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tightrope walker (紧) balancing precariously above a crowd, feeling the pressure (张) of everyone watching. The tension in the air makes them feel both nervous and focused, embodying the essence of 紧张.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 紧张 with other emotional states like 放松 (fàngsōng, relaxed) or 兴奋 (xīngfèn, excited). It is generally used in informal contexts but can also appear in formal discussions about stress or anxiety. Be mindful of the tone: use the third tone (jǐn) and first tone (zhāng) to avoid misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 4, 紧张 is a key term related to emotions and psychological states. Connect it with other HSK 4 words like 放松 (fàngsōng) and 竞争 (jìngzhēng) to build a vocabulary around feelings and competitive situations. Focus on using it in sentences to express emotional states.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 紧张 is often associated with group activities like exams or important meetings, where collective pressure can amplify individual anxiety. This reflects the high value placed on academic and professional success.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is to mix up 紧张 with 害怕 (hàipà, afraid). For example, saying '我害怕考试的时候很紧张' (I'm afraid during the exam I'm very nervous) is incorrect; it should be '我考试的时候很紧张' to convey the right meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 紧张
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Grammar Patterns of 紧张
紧张 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
I had a case of the jitters during my first two speeches.
10
我们聚集在露台上,手里紧张地握着盛有冰镇葡萄酒的酒杯.
wǒ mén jù jí zài lòu tái shàng, , shǒu lǐ jǐn zhāng dì wò zháo shèng yǒu bīng zhèn pú táo jiǔ de jiǔ.
Nervously clutching our glasses of chilled wine, we gathered on the terrace.
akeyed up1
11
面试前，他感到非常紧张，不停地喝水。
Miànshì qián, tā gǎndào fēicháng jǐnzhāng, bùtíng de hē shuǐ.
Before the interview, he felt very keyed up and kept drinking water.
Cultural Notes for 紧张
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 紧张 is often associated with group activities like exams or important meetings, where collective pressure can amplify individual anxiety. This reflects the high value placed on academic and professional success.
Frequently Asked Questions about 紧张
You might say, '我在考试的时候感到很紧张' (I feel very nervous during the exam).
Not necessarily; it can also describe a tense situation, such as a tense relationship or atmosphere.
Some synonyms include 紧迫 (jǐnpò, urgent) and 压力 (yālì, pressure), though they carry slightly different connotations.
