angespannt
Translation
tense, strained, anxious
Examples
Die Atmosphäre im Raum war angespannt.
The atmosphere in the room was tense.
Er hat ein angespanntes Verhältnis zu seinen Eltern.
He has a strained relationship with his parents.
Seine Muskeln sind nach dem Sport angespannt.
His muscles are tense after the workout.
Grammar Patterns
to be angespannt to be tense The situation is tense.
Similar Words
nervös (nervous), gestresst (stressed); Antonyms: entspannt (relaxed), locker (loose)
Etymology
Past participle of 'anspannen' (to tense). From 'an-' + 'spannen' (to stretch, tighten). It describes a state of being 'stretched on' or tightened.
Memory Tips
Imagine a rubber band being 'spanned' or stretched 'on' ('an') something, making it tense.