You may often hear “テンション” in Japanese English. It is derived from “tension”, but
doesn’t mean “tension”! Do you know how to use it?
It is a noun that means “feelings“. It is used to express someone’s personality or their current feelings about how energetic you are.
Meg is thinking of whether her boyfriend really wants to go on a trip with her.
- Amy: How’s your trip plan to Okinawa going?
沖縄旅行の計画はどうなった？ - Meg: I got the flight tickets and booked the hotel. I’m so excited about our first trip, but I’m not sure if he really wants to go there because he is actually pretty mellow.
航空券はとったし、ホテルも予約したよ。(私達の)初めての旅行だから、私はテンションが上がっているけど、彼は本当に行きたいのか疑問だよ。そもそもテンションが低いから。
Ken and Leo are drinking at the nightclub after a while.
- Ken: We haven’t come here in forever, but you look a little down. What’s wrong?
久々に(クラブへ)来たのに、テンションが低いじゃん。どうしたんだよ？ - Leo: Nothing much. Going all out is like college students, isn’t it?
別に。学生じゃあるまいし、はしゃがないよ、だろ？ - Ken: Or you’re too old to be at the nightclub, huh?
それか、クラブに来るには、年を取ったってところか？ - Leo: That sucks!
テンション(が)下がる！ - Ken: Come on. Let’s get pumped up!
まー、テンション(を)上げようよ！