bié jǐnzhāng: 别紧张 - Don't be nervous, Relax, Take it easy

• Keywords: bié jǐnzhāng, bie jinzhang, 别紧张, how to say relax in Chinese, don't be nervous in Mandarin, take it easy in Chinese, calm down Chinese, Chinese for exams, Chinese for public speaking, 紧张, 别担心
• Summary: “别紧张 (bié jǐnzhāng)” is a fundamental and frequently used phrase in Mandarin Chinese that directly translates to “Don't be nervous.” It's a comforting expression used to reassure someone who is feeling anxious, stressed, or tense, similar to saying “Relax” or “Take it easy” in English. You'll commonly hear it in high-pressure situations like before a job interview, a big exam, or public speaking, making it an essential phrase for anyone learning to navigate daily life and social interactions in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bié jǐnzhāng
• Part of Speech: Verb Phrase / Imperative Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A command or piece of advice telling someone not to be nervous or anxious.
• In a Nutshell: “别紧张 (bié jǐnzhāng)” is a phrase of support and reassurance. It's used to gently encourage someone to let go of their stress and anxiety in a specific moment. The feeling of “紧张 (jǐnzhāng)” is a mix of being tense, stressed, and nervous, like your muscles are tight and your mind is racing before a challenge. “别 (bié)” simply negates this, making it a kind and direct way to say, “Hey, you've got this. Relax.”

• 别 (bié): In this context, this character is a negative imperative, meaning “don't.” It's used to tell someone not to do something. (It can also mean “other” or “to separate,” but its function here is purely as “don't.”)
• 紧 (jǐn): This character means “tight,” “tense,” or “close.” Imagine a tight knot or a clenched fist—that is the feeling of `jǐn`.
• 张 (zhāng): This character means “to stretch” or “to open up.” Think of stretching a rubber band or a bowstring until it's taut.

When you combine 紧 (jǐn - tight) and 张 (zhāng - stretched), you get `紧张 (jǐnzhāng)`, a vivid word picture for the feeling of being “tense,” “strained,” or “nervous.” It's the sensation of being stretched tight like a bowstring. By adding 别 (bié - don't), the phrase `别紧张` literally means “Don't be stretched-tight.”

• In Chinese culture, where performance in high-stakes situations like the gaokao (college entrance exam), job interviews, and public presentations is highly valued, managing pressure is a common social theme. “别紧张 (bié jǐnzhāng)” is more than just a phrase; it's a common social tool for offering support and showing care. It's a way to verbally help someone maintain composure and “face” (面子, miànzi).
• Comparison to Western Culture: While “Don't be nervous” or “Relax” are direct equivalents, the English phrase “Calm down” can sometimes have a negative or dismissive connotation, especially if said during an argument. “别紧张” is almost exclusively used in a supportive, gentle, and preemptive way. It's rarely confrontational. It's what a teacher says to a student, a doctor to a patient, or a parent to a child. It reinforces a sense of communal support and shared interest in the person's success and well-being.

• “别紧张” is extremely common in everyday conversation. Its usage is generally informal to neutral and is almost always meant to be encouraging.
• Common Situations:
  • Before a Test or Exam: A teacher or friend might say this to a student.
  • Job Interviews: A friend might text you this right before you go in.
  • Public Speaking: A colleague might whisper this to you before you get on stage.
  • First Dates or Meeting Parents: One partner might say this to reassure the other.
  • Medical Settings: A doctor or nurse will often say this to a patient before giving a shot or starting a procedure to help them relax.
  • Driving Lessons: A driving instructor will say this to a student who is gripping the steering wheel too tightly.

• Example 1:
  • 考试前，老师对我们说：“别紧张，你们都复习得很好了。”
  • Pinyin: Kǎoshì qián, lǎoshī duì wǒmen shuō: “Bié jǐnzhāng, nǐmen dōu fùxí de hěn hǎo le.”
  • English: Before the exam, the teacher said to us: “Don't be nervous, you all have reviewed very well.”
  • Analysis: A classic and very common example of a person in authority offering reassurance to a group.
• Example 2:
  • A: 我马上要去面试了，我好紧张！ B: 别紧张，深呼吸，你肯定没问题的。
  • Pinyin: A: Wǒ mǎshàng yào qù miànshì le, wǒ hǎo jǐnzhāng! B: Bié jǐnzhāng, shēn hūxī, nǐ kěndìng méi wèntí de.
  • English: A: I'm about to go to my job interview, I'm so nervous! B: Don't be nervous, take a deep breath, you'll definitely be fine.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a typical conversation between friends, where the phrase is used as direct support.
• Example 3:
  • 这是你第一次上台演讲吗？别紧张，看着我就好。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì nǐ dì yī cì shàngtái yǎnjiǎng ma? Bié jǐnzhāng, kànzhe wǒ jiù hǎo.
  • English: Is this your first time giving a speech on stage? Don't be nervous, just look at me.
  • Analysis: Here, the speaker offers a concrete action (“just look at me”) along with the reassurance, making it very practical advice.
• Example 4:
  • 医生给孩子打针的时候说：“小朋友，别紧张，很快就好了。”
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng gěi háizi dǎzhēn de shíhou shuō: “Xiǎopéngyǒu, bié jǐnzhāng, hěn kuài jiù hǎo le.”
  • English: When the doctor was giving the child a shot, he said: “Little friend, don't be nervous, it will be over very quickly.”
  • Analysis: Shows the use of the phrase in a medical context to calm a patient, often a child.
• Example 5:
  • 等一下要见我父母了，你别紧张啊。
  • Pinyin: Děng yīxià yào jiàn wǒ fùmǔ le, nǐ bié jǐnzhāng a.
  • English: We're going to see my parents in a minute, don't be nervous.
  • Analysis: The particle “啊 (a)” at the end softens the tone, making it sound even more gentle and reassuring. This is common in informal speech.
• Example 6:
  • 我告诉自己别紧张，但这只是我的第一次约会！
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gàosù zìjǐ bié jǐnzhāng, dàn zhè zhǐshì wǒ de dì yī cì yuēhuì!
  • English: I'm telling myself not to be nervous, but this is my first date!
  • Analysis: This shows how a person can use the phrase for self-talk, as an internal monologue.
• Example 7:
  • 学车的时候，教练总是说：“别紧张，放松一点！”
  • Pinyin: Xué chē de shíhou, jiàoliàn zǒngshì shuō: “Bié jǐnzhāng, fàngsōng yīdiǎn!”
  • English: When I was learning to drive, the instructor always said: “Don't be nervous, relax a little!”
  • Analysis: This example pairs `别紧张` with `放松 (fàngsōng)`, another related term, for emphasis.
• Example 8:
  • 只是一个小手术，您别紧张。
  • Pinyin: Zhǐshì yī ge xiǎo shǒushù, nín bié jǐnzhāng.
  • English: It's just a minor surgery, please don't be nervous.
  • Analysis: The use of “您 (nín)” indicates this is said respectfully, likely by a medical professional to an older patient.
• Example 9:
  • 别紧张，警察只是想问你几个问题。
  • Pinyin: Bié jǐnzhāng, jǐngchá zhǐshì xiǎng wèn nǐ jǐ ge wèntí.
  • English: Don't be nervous, the police officer just wants to ask you a few questions.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates usage in a potentially intimidating but not necessarily negative situation.
• Example 10:
  • 比赛马上开始了，教练拍了拍我的肩膀说：“别紧张，像平时一样踢就好。”
  • Pinyin: Bǐsài mǎshàng kāishǐ le, jiàoliàn pāi le pāi wǒ de jiānbǎng shuō: “Bié jǐnzhāng, xiàng píngshí yīyàng tī jiù hǎo.”
  • English: The game was about to start, the coach patted my shoulder and said: “Don't be nervous, just play like you do in practice.”
  • Analysis: A perfect example from a sports context, combining physical reassurance (a pat on the shoulder) with verbal support.

• “Don't be nervous” vs. “Relax/Chill out”: This is the most critical mistake for learners. `别紧张` specifically addresses anxiety and tension related to a performance or event. It does not mean “relax” in the sense of resting or unwinding.
  • `*` Incorrect: 我工作了一整天，今晚我要在家别紧张。 (Wǒ gōngzuò le yī zhěng tiān, jīnwǎn wǒ yào zài jiā bié jǐnzhāng.)
  • `*` Why it's wrong: This sentence means “I worked all day, tonight I want to *not be nervous* at home,” which makes no sense.
  • `*` Correct: 我工作了一整天，今晚我要在家放松一下。(Wǒ gōngzuò le yī zhěng tiān, jīnwǎn wǒ yào zài jiā fàngsōng yīxià.) (I worked all day, tonight I want to relax a bit at home.)
• “Don't be nervous” vs. “Calm down”: While similar, `别紧张` is used for anxiety and nerves. If someone is angry, panicking, or hysterical, a more appropriate phrase is `冷静点 (lěngjìng diǎn)` which means “Be calm” or “Cool it.” Using `别紧张` for an angry person would be strange and ineffective.

• * 放松 (fàngsōng) - To relax, to loosen. This is about unwinding and de-stressing, like getting a massage or lying on a beach. It's the antidote to general stress, whereas `别紧张` is the antidote to acute nervousness.
• * 别担心 (bié dānxīn) - Don't worry. Very similar, but `担心` focuses on mental worry about a potential outcome, while `紧张` is more about the physical and emotional feeling of nervousness in the present moment.
• * 冷静 (lěngjìng) - To be calm, cool-headed. This is used to de-escalate a situation where someone is agitated, angry, or panicked, not just nervous.
• * 加油 (jiāyóu) - “Go for it!” or “Come on!”. A phrase of encouragement often used together with `别紧张` before a competition or challenge.
• * 别怕 (bié pà) - Don't be afraid. Used for fear (`害怕`), which is a stronger emotion than nervousness (`紧张`). You'd say this to someone going into a haunted house, not someone going into a test.
• * 放心 (fàngxīn) - To set one's mind at ease, to feel relieved. This is the desired outcome after someone hears `别紧张` and believes it.
• * 压力 (yālì) - Pressure, stress. This is often the root cause of feeling `紧张`. For example, `考试的压力让我很紧张` (The pressure of the exam makes me very nervous).