ハイテンション

はいてんしょん
noun / na-adjective
excited; hyper; high-spirited
1. excited; hyper; high-spirited; energetic
Being in a state of high energy and excitement, often visibly animated and enthusiastic. A wasei-eigo (Japanese-coined English) term that does not match the English meaning of 'high tension.'
今日(きょう)はやけにハイテンションだね。
You're really hyper today, aren't you?
子供(こども)たちは遠足(えんそく)の前日(ぜんじつ)でハイテンションだった。
The kids were really excited the day before the field trip.
飲(の)み会(かい)で彼(かれ)がハイテンションになりすぎて、周(まわ)りが引(ひ)いていた。
He got too hyper at the drinking party, and everyone around him was put off.

A wasei-eigo (Japanese-coined English) expression. In English, 'high tension' refers to electrical voltage or emotional stress, but in Japanese it means being in a highly excited, energetic state. This is a classic example of how English words take on different meanings in Japanese.

FALSE FRIEND:
English 'high tension' = 高(こう)電圧(でんあつ) or 緊張感(きんちょうかん) (stress/anxiety).
Japanese ハイテンション = excited, hyper, in high spirits.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ハイテンションになる — to get hyper/excited
  • ハイテンションな人(ひと) — an energetic/excitable person
  • やけにハイテンション — unusually hyper

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • テンションが高(たか)い — same meaning, using the phrase pattern テンション + が高(たか)い
  • 元気(げんき) — energetic, lively; broader and more neutral
  • はしゃぐ — to frolic, to get carried away; implies physical excitement

OPPOSITE:

  • ローテンション — low energy, subdued (also wasei-eigo)
  • テンションが低(ひく)い — low energy, not in the mood
general
Added 2026.3.26 13:21
19500/19537_haitenshon