Meaning and Usage
The verb '긴장되다' means 'to become nervous' or 'to feel tension.' It is commonly used to describe the emotional state before or during stressful or important situations, such as exams, presentations, or performances.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '긴장되다' in everyday conversations about anxiety or nervousness related to events where one feels pressure. It is a descriptive verb that focuses on the internal feeling of tension.
Collocations and Patterns
- 긴장되다 + 아/어서: to express cause and effect, e.g., 긴장돼서 말을 잘 못했어요 (I was so nervous that I couldn't speak well).
- 무대에 올라가면 긴장돼요: a common phrase to express stage fright.
- 시험 전에 긴장되다: to describe nervousness before an exam.
Register and Politeness
'긴장되다' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is often combined with polite endings like '-요' for everyday polite speech.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '긴장되다' with '긴장하다.' Both mean 'to be nervous,' but '긴장하다' is an active verb meaning 'to feel nervous,' while '긴장되다' is more passive, meaning 'to become nervous.' Both are correct but used slightly differently depending on nuance.