What is the purpose of 「し」 in phrase 「私は緊{きん}張{ちょう}しすぎて」?


There is a phrase 「私は緊{きん}張{ちょう}しすぎて」. Translates as:

> 私は - I  
> 緊張 - nervous  
> すぎて - too; exceedingly

But what is the purpose of 「し」 after 「緊張」?




「緊張しすぎる」＝「緊張」 + 「する」 +「すぎる」

In order to combine the two verbs する and すぎる, you need to change the first one
する into its [連用形]{れんようけい} (continuative form).

The 連用形 of the verb 「する」 is 「し」. Since 「する」 is the most often used verb in the
language, 「し」 is very important and you will keep seeing it from now on.

緊張しすぎる = to get too nervous

[飲]{の}みすぎる = to drink too much

[回答]{かいとう}しすぎる = to answer too many questions




緊張し is 連用形(ますform) of the verb "緊張する".

