Meaning and Usage
"敏感" (びんかん) means being sensitive or susceptible to stimuli, feelings, or situations. It can describe physical sensitivity, such as to sounds or skin irritants, as well as emotional or social sensitivity, like being easily affected by certain topics.
Common Collocations
- 敏感肌 (びんかんはだ): sensitive skin, often used in cosmetics and dermatology contexts.
- 敏感に反応する (びんかんにはんのうする): to react sensitively, used when someone responds quickly or strongly to stimuli or information.
- 敏感な話題 (びんかんなわだい): sensitive topic, often something people avoid discussing openly.
Register and Nuance
This word is generally neutral and used in both formal and informal contexts. It often implies a heightened awareness or quick reaction, which can be positive (attentive) or negative (overly reactive) depending on context.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "敏感" with "感覚" (sense, sensation). Remember, "敏感" emphasizes the degree of sensitivity or susceptibility, while "感覚" refers more broadly to the sense or perception itself.