緊張

• Reading: きんちょう
• Romaji: kinchou
• Kanji breakdown: 緊 (kin) — tense, tight; 張 (chou) — stretch, strain
• Pronunciation: /ki.ɴ.tɕoː/

Meaning

Tension; nervousness; strain. A state of being tense or anxious.

Used as a noun or する verb (緊張する). Describes both psychological nervousness (stage fright, interview anxiety) and physical tension (muscle strain, political tensions). Very common in everyday speech when talking about stressful situations.

Examples

1. 面接の前はいつも緊張する。 I always get nervous before an interview.
2. スピーチで緊張して声が震えた。 I got so nervous during the speech that my voice was shaking.
3. 彼は緊張した様子で結果を待っていた。 He waited for the results looking tense.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, school, public speaking

Tone: anxious

Origin & History

Compound of 緊 (kin, tense/tight) and 張 (chou, stretch/strain). Together they express the state of being stretched tight — physically or emotionally taut.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal