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!
Table of Contents
- What does “nervoso per l’intervista” mean?
- The Grammar Behind the Phrase: Rules and Common Mistakes
- Real-life examples with “nervoso per l’intervista”
- Related words and expressions
- Conclusion
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.")
- Masculine singular:
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.
- Correct: "Sono nervoso
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.
- Mia sorella è
Related words and expressions
Here are other Italian expressions to describe similar moods:
Related Expression | Brief Meaning | Example in Italian |
---|---|---|
Essere in ansia per | Feeling great worry or apprehension. | "Sono in ansia per i risultati degli esami." |
Essere agitato per | Feeling restless or upset because of something. | "Era agitato per l'arrivo degli ospiti." |
Essere teso per | Feeling under pressure, physically or mentally. | "Il medico era teso per l'operazione delicata." |
Avere le farfalle nello stomaco | Feeling 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!