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Inquiet, nerveux or stressé: say how you feel and why

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Say you are worried, nervous or stressed in French. Compare everyday exchanges, check feminine and plural forms, and practise naming the cause.

In short

Inquiet means worried about someone or something. Nerveux describes nerves or agitation, often before an event. Stressé means stressed or under pressure. Add the cause: inquiet pour mon frère, nerveux avant l’entretien, stressé par les délais.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A young adult man sits a little nervously in a quiet French office waiting area with a closed plain folder on his knees, no signs or clocks.
The interview gives je suis un peu nerveux a context. Illustration: Atelier
1

Waiting for news

A friendTu as des nouvelles de ton frère ?Have you heard from your brother?
YouPas encore. Je suis inquiète pour lui.Not yet. I’m worried about him.A woman is speaking: inquiète.
A friendIl devait appeler ce matin ?Was he supposed to call this morning?
YouOui, et son silence m’inquiète.Yes, and his silence worries me.
2

Before a job interview

A friendTu es prêt pour ton entretien ?Are you ready for your interview?
YouOui, mais je suis un peu nerveux.Yes, but I’m a bit nervous.A man is speaking: nerveux.
A friendTu connais déjà la personne qui va te recevoir ?Do you already know the person interviewing you?
YouNon, c’est notre première rencontre.No, it’s our first meeting.
3

Too much to finish today

YouJe suis stressée par tout ce travail.I’m stressed by all this work.A woman is speaking: stressée.
A friendTu dois tout finir aujourd’hui ?Do you have to finish it all today?
YouOui, j’ai trois dossiers à rendre avant dix-huit heures.Yes, I have three files to hand in before six.
Study first: agreement
MeaningMasculine singularFeminine singularMasculine pluralFeminine plural
worriedinquietinquièteinquietsinquiètes
nervousnerveuxnerveusenerveuxnerveuses
stressedstresséstresséestressésstressées

What is the difference between inquiet, nerveux and stressé?

Cette semaine est stressante ; je suis stressée.

This week is stressful; I’m stressed.

Stressant describes the cause; stressé describes the person feeling the pressure.

Je m’inquiète pour mon frère.

I’m worried about my brother.

Keep the reflexive pronoun in s’inquiéter. With the adjective, say je suis inquiet or je suis inquiète.

The feelings can go together: Je suis inquiète pour demain et nerveuse à l’idée de parler devant tout le monde. The first part names a concern; the second names the tension around speaking. A reason often tells your listener more than the adjective alone.

Question 1No account needed
Two women describe how they feel before an interview.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Nous sommes nerveuses.. For two women, nerveuses has the feminine plural ending.

Question 2No account needed
Choose the word for the timetable that causes the pressure.Cet emploi du temps est ___.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

stressant. A timetable can be stressant: it causes stress.

Question 3No account needed
Which phrase directly names the person you are worried about?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Je suis inquiet pour ma sœur.. Inquiet pour ma sœur tells us who the worry concerns.

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