nervös sein

The grammar is very friendly. You just need the subject and the verb sein. For example, Ich bin nervös. If you want to point to a specific cause, use the preposition vor (before). You could say Ich bin nervös vor der Prüfung. This means "I am nervous before the exam." You can also use wegen (because of). Just remember that nervös is an adjective, so it stays the same after the verb.

This phrase fits almost everywhere. Use it in a job interview to show you are human. Use it when texting a friend before a first date. It works perfectly in a doctor's waiting room. Even professional athletes use it before a big match. It is a neutral, safe way to describe your feelings. It bridges the gap between formal and casual settings perfectly.

A common trap is using it for "annoyed." In English, we sometimes say "you're getting on my nerves." In German, that is du nervst mich. If you feel irritated, use genervt. Also, distinguish it from ängstlich (fearful). Nervös is about the jitters, while ängstlich is about actual fear. If you are just happy-excited, like on Christmas morning, use aufgeregt instead.

German culture often emphasizes "Sorgfalt" (diligence). Because people want to do things correctly, being nervös is seen as a natural side effect of high standards. It is not seen as a weakness. In fact, saying Ich bin ein bisschen nervös can break the ice in a tense meeting. It shows you are invested in the outcome and take the situation seriously.

You can spice it up with total or echt. Ich bin echt nervös sounds very natural. If you want to sound more specific about stage fright, you could say Ich habe Lampenfieber. This specifically refers to performing. If someone else is causing the feeling, you can say Du machst mich nervös. This shifts the focus to the person making you feel uneasy.