tense

feeling worried and nervous, especially about something that might happen in the future

tenso/a, nervioso/a, preocupado/a

Collocations be tense about something · feel tense

• She was very tense before the exam.

  Ella estaba muy nerviosa antes del examen.

tight and not relaxed, especially in a person's body or muscles

tenso/a, rígido/a

Collocations be tense (about something) · a tense muscle

• His face was very tense.

  Su cara estaba muy tensa.

one of the ways in which verbs are formed to show when an action happens or how it is done, for example present tense, past tense, future tense

tiempo verbal

Collocations tense of a verb · change the tense

• The sentence is in past tense.

  La oración está en pasado.

tight and strong, especially of a rope or string

tendido, tirante

Collocations a tense wire · be tense across something

• The rope was very tense.

  La cuerda estaba muy tensa.

serious and difficult, especially a situation that is likely to cause arguments or problems

tensión, situación difícil

Collocations a tense atmosphere/situation · be in a tense situation

• The meeting was very tense.

  La reunión fue muy tensa.

(of a verb) to show when an action happens or how it is done, for example present tense, past tense, future tense

indicar el tiempo verbal

• [T + obj + into]
• [it takes sb time to do sth]

• The verb 'to be' tenses differently from other verbs.

  El verbo 'ser' se tensa de manera diferente a otros verbos.

to make your muscles tight and strong, especially by pulling them or stretching them

tensar, estirar

• [T + obj + into]
• [it takes sb time to do sth]

• He tensed his muscles.

  Él tensó sus músculos.

to relax and become less nervous or worried

relajarse, calmarse

• [T + obj + into]
• [it takes sb time to do sth]

• She took a deep breath and tensed.

  Ella tomó una profunda respiración y se relajó.