How to say "sensitive" in Japanese

• 敏感びんかんJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers the core sense of being highly responsive or susceptible — to touch, cold, criticism, or trends. It works for both physical sensitivity and being alert or quick to react, and is the most broadly applicable choice.
  私は寒さむさに敏感びんかんだ。↗

  I am very sensitive to the cold.
• デリケートCommon
  na-adjectiveUsed for people, hearts, or matters that are delicate and easily upset — a sensitive person, emotional issues, skin. From English 'delicate'; natural for describing fragile feelings or touchy subjects.
• 多感たかんCommon
  na-adjective, nounRefers to being emotional and impressionable, typically of young people whose feelings are stirred easily. It fits the sensitive years of adolescence, not physical sensitivity or general reactivity.
• ナイーブCommon
  na-adjective, nounFrom English 'naive'; its 'sensitive' sense describes someone innocent and easily hurt emotionally. Note that it also means innocent or unpretentious, so it is often not the word you want for plain 'sensitive'.
  昨日きのうのけんかを気きにしてるの？意外いがいにナイーブなのね。↗

  Are you still letting last night's fight bother you? You're surprisingly sensitive.
• 神経質しんけいしつCommon
  na-adjective, nounMeans nervous or highly strung — sensitive in the sense of being easily bothered, fussy, or on edge. Choose it for someone who frets over small things, not for physical sensitivity or delicacy of feeling.
  彼女かのじょは入試にゅうしを控ひかえて神経質しんけいしつになっていた。↗

  She was nervous before the entrance exam.

Use 敏感 for physical or general responsiveness, 「デリケート」 for delicate people, hearts, or topics, 多感 for the emotional turbulence of youth, 「ナイーブ」 for an innocent, easily-hurt temperament, and 神経質 for fussy, highly strung nervousness.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 敏感びんかんsensitive
• デリケートsensitive (person, heart, etc.)
• 多感たかんsensitive
• ナイーブinnocent
• 神経質しんけいしつnervous
• 鋭敏えいびんsharp (eyes, ears, etc.)
• センシティブsensitive
• 神経が鋭いしんけいがするどいsensitive
• 神経の鋭いしんけいのするどいsensitive
• 感じやすいかんじやすいsensitive
• 線が細いせんがほそいsensitive
• 機徴きちょうsensitive
• 神経が細かいしんけいがこまかいhaving delicate feelings
• 傷つきやすいきずつきやすいfragile
• 繊細せんさいsensitive
• 機微きびsubtle
• さといsharp (ear, etc.)
• 細かいこまかいsensitive