繊細|せんさいsensai[0]heiban (flat)

1. na-adjective, noundainty; delicate (e.g. fingers); fine; slim
2. na-adjective, nounsensitive; delicate (feelings, sense, etc.); subtle
   非常ひじょうに繊細せんさいな問題もんだいだ。↗

   It's a very delicate question.

• SynonymデリケートNeutralA loanword and more colloquial: people easily hurt, subtle issues needing care, sensitive skin. Overlaps partly with 「繊細」; for a subtle issue either word works.
• Synonym細かいこまかいNeutralThe most common word: small grains or particles, rich in detail, also trivial or petty; 「繊細」 stresses fine sensitivity instead.
• Synonym華奢きゃしゃNeutralDescribes a slender, graceful figure, or furniture etc. that is flimsily made and breaks easily; unlike 「繊細」 it does not cover delicate feelings or sensitivity.
• Synonym細やかこまやかNeutralCenters on warm, attentive care, as in 「細やかな気配り」; 「繊細」 is about delicate sensitivity or fine workmanship.
• Related脆弱ぜいじゃくWrittenWritten/formal: structures or systems too fragile to withstand a blow, as in 「脆弱な地盤」; it lacks the positive sense of delicacy and refinement.
• Related弱々しいよわよわしいNeutralSuggests someone or something looks weak and feeble, a negative impression; 「繊細」 usually carries the positive sense of fine delicacy.
• Relatedか弱いかよわいNeutralOften describes women or children as frail and needing protection; 「繊細」 stresses keen sensitivity or fine craftsmanship.
• RelatedもろいNeutralSays things break or give way easily, and can describe a soft heart moved to tears; 「繊細」 is about fine sensitivity rather than fragility.
• Related細かこまかNeutralThe adjectival-noun form of 「細かい」, mostly as 「細かな」: small or detailed, with no sense of keen sensitivity.
• Related精巧せいこうWrittenWritten/formal: precise, ingenious workmanship, mechanisms or structures; 「繊細」 can also describe people's feelings and sensitivity.
• Related精妙せいみょうWrittenWritten/formal: precise and ingenious, mostly for artistry and construction; 「繊細」 leans more toward delicacy and sensitivity.
• Related微細びさいWrittenWritten/formal: extremely small, mainly in science and technology, as in 「微細加工」; it has no emotional sense.
• Relatedか細いかぼそいNeutralRefers to a thin, weak body or voice; 「繊細」 can also mean finely sensitive, not just weak.
• Related巧緻こうちWrittenWritten/formal and rare, mostly in critical writing on craftsmanship or prose; in everyday speech use 「精巧」 or 「緻密」.
• Antonym粗雑そざつNeutralRough and sloppy, work that lacks finesse; the direct opposite of the fineness of 「繊細」.
• Antonym大雑把おおざっぱNeutralRough and broad-brush, unconcerned with small details; the opposite of 「繊細」 in character or way of doing things.
• Antonym鈍感どんかんNeutralDull in perception and slow to read others' feelings; the opposite of the sensitivity of 「繊細」.

For delicate, sensitive feelings 「繊細」 is the default, with 「デリケート」 as a more colloquial partner; use 「華奢」 for a slender figure and 「精巧」 for fine craftsmanship. The frailty words (か細い, か弱い, 弱々しい, 脆弱, 脆い) stress weakness, not sensitivity, and the 細かい family is about small size or detail. Opposites: 「大雑把」, 「鈍感」.

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

1. かぼそいこと。かよわいこと。また、そのようなさま。
2. デリケートなさま。