Portuguese Phrase
Tá nervoso/nervosa?
Meaning
This phrase is a common, informal way to ask if someone is feeling anxious, stressed, or even angry. The word 'nervoso' covers a broad range of emotional states from stage fright to being visibly irritated or 'on edge'.
When to use
Use this in casual settings when you notice someone looks agitated, is acting impatiently, or is preparing for a stressful event like an exam or interview.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tánervosonervosa
Tá (Estar)
This is the colloquial, shortened form of the verb 'está'. Using 'tá' instead of 'está' is key to sounding like a native speaker in casual conversation.
Gender Agreement
Adjectives must match the gender of the person you are talking to: use 'nervoso' for males and 'nervosa' for females.
🗨In Conversation
Não aguento mais esse trânsito!
I can't stand this traffic anymore!
Calma, tá nervoso?
Calm down, are you upset?
✕Common Mistakes
Você é nervoso?
Avoid using the verb 'ser' (é) here, as it implies the person has a permanently nervous personality rather than a temporary state.
Está você nervoso?
In Portuguese, the subject pronoun 'você' is often dropped or placed after the adjective in questions, and 'Está' is usually shortened to 'Tá' in speech.
↔Alternatives
Está tudo bem?
Is everything okay?
Você está ansioso?
Are you anxious?
O que aconteceu?
What happened?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, 'estar nervoso' is frequently used to mean someone is angry or frustrated rather than just worried. If someone is shouting or acting out of character due to stress, a friend might ask 'Tá nervoso?' to acknowledge their visible frustration.