Complete Guide to “Nervoso per l’Intervista”: What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever experienced that sensation of "butterflies in your stomach" before an important event? In Italian, especially when talking about a job interview, the expression nervoso per l’intervista is perfect to describe that state of mind. Understanding and using this adjectival phrase correctly is crucial to speaking like a native speaker and describing feelings accurately. In this guide, we'll explore its meaning, grammar rules, and common mistakes in Italian to help you master it. Get ready to learn Italian in a practical way!

Nervoso per l'intervista

Table of Contents

What does “nervoso per l’intervista” mean?

  • "Nervoso": An adjective that describes a state of anxiety, worry, agitation, or tension.
  • "Per": A preposition indicating the cause, purpose, or motivation for something. In this context, it introduces the reason for the nervousness.
  • "L'intervista": The interview or formal meeting, often for a job or admission.
  • Overall meaning: Feeling anxious or agitated because of an upcoming interview or oral exam.

More: Complete Guide to Felice di Partire How and When to Use It

The Grammar Behind the Phrase: Rules and Common Mistakes

  • Agreement of the adjective: "Nervoso" matches in gender and number with the subject.

    • Masculine singular: nervoso (e.g. "Lui è nervoso per l'intervista.")
    • Feminine singular: nervosa (e.g. "Lei è nervosa per l'intervista.")
    • Masculine plural: nervosi (e.g. "Loro sono nervosi per l'intervista.")
    • Feminine plural: nervose (e.g. "Le ragazze sono nervose per l'intervista.")
  • Use of the preposition "per": The preposition "per" is crucial and specifies the cause of the nervousness. It is used to indicate the reason or purpose.

    • Correct: "Sono nervoso per l'esame."
    • Common mistake: "Sono nervoso di l'esame." (Do not use "di" in this context for the cause)
    • Common mistake: "Sono nervoso a l'esame." (Do not use "a" to indicate the cause of a feeling)
    • As noted by WordReference, the preposition "per" is used to indicate the cause or reason.
  • Common mistakes:

    • Confusing "nervoso" with "arrabbiato": "Nervoso" means anxious or agitated, not angry. If you are angry, use "sono arrabbiato".
    • Omitting the preposition "per": Just saying "Sono nervoso l'intervista" is grammatically incorrect. The preposition is essential to relate the emotion to its cause.

More: Arrabbiato per la mancata risposta Complete Guide to Speaking Natural Italian

Real-life examples with “nervoso per l’intervista”

Here are some practical examples to understand how to use nervoso per l'intervista and common variations:

  • Dialogue 1: Before a job interview

    • Persona A: "Come ti senti riguardo al colloquio di domani?"
    • Persona B: "Sono un po' nervoso per l'intervista, spero di fare una buona impressione."
  • Dialogue 2: After an important exam

    • Persona A: "Eri molto teso prima dell'esame di stamattina?"
    • Persona B: "Sì, ero decisamente nervoso per l'esame più che per un'intervista di lavoro, era molto importante per la mia carriera."
  • Example 3: Describing another person

    • Mia sorella è nervosa per la sua prima intervista di lavoro.
    • I candidati erano tutti nervosi per l'intervista collettiva.
    • Non è una ragazza che si agita facilmente, ma era nervosa per quell'intervista con il CEO.

Related words and expressions

Here are other Italian expressions to describe similar moods:

Related ExpressionBrief MeaningExample in Italian
Essere in ansia perFeeling great worry or apprehension."Sono in ansia per i risultati degli esami."
Essere agitato perFeeling restless or upset because of something."Era agitato per l'arrivo degli ospiti."
Essere teso perFeeling under pressure, physically or mentally."Il medico era teso per l'operazione delicata."
Avere le farfalle nello stomacoFeeling nervous or excited, often pleasantly or romantically."Prima del primo appuntamento, avevo le farfalle nello stomaco."

Conclusion

Mastering expressions like nervoso per l’intervista enriches your Italian vocabulary and allows you to express emotions more precisely. Pay attention to adjective agreement and the correct use of the preposition "per".

Now it’s your turn! Think of a time when you were nervoso per something. Share your sentence in the comments below!