gespannt

Gespannt is a German adjective formed from the verb spannen (to stretch, to tighten). It covers several related senses: something is physically taut or under tension; a person is emotionally tense; and a state of eager anticipation, as in wanting to know what happens next.

In the physical sense, gespannte objects are tense or stretched. For example, das Seil ist gespannt (the rope is taut) or ein gespanntes Netz (a taut net). Predicative usage after the verb sein is common: Der Draht ist gespannt. In attributive position, it takes appropriate endings: ein gespanntes Seil, eine gespannte Brücke, gespannte Ruhe is less common but possible in poetic contexts.

In the emotional or anticipatory sense, gespannt describes someone awaiting a result with interest or anxiety. Typical phrases include Ich bin gespannt and Ich bin gespannt auf das Ergebnis (I’m curious about the result / I’m looking forward to the result).

Grammar notes: gespannt is the past participle of spannen and functions as an adjective. Its inflection follows standard German adjective declension rules when used attributively. It can also form set phrases such as gespannt sein (to be tense or curious) and in comparison to related terms such as spannend (interesting, suspenseful), entspannt (relaxed), and Spannung (tension or suspense).

Etymology: ge- marks the past participle, derived from spannen. The word has developed to cover both literal tension and figurative anticipation, while its closely related forms expand its semantic field in everyday German.