A2 adjective Neutral #3,000 am häufigsten 3 Min. Lesezeit

sensível

/sẽˈsivɛw/
Jetzt üben Notizen & Tipps

Overview

The Portuguese word 'sensível' is an adjective that primarily translates to 'sensitive' in English. However, its meaning extends beyond a simple one-to-one translation, encompassing various nuances depending on the context. Let's delve into its different applications.

**Core Meaning: Experiencing and Reacting to Stimuli**

At its most fundamental, 'sensível' describes the capacity to perceive, feel, or react to external stimuli or internal states. This can apply to:

  • Physical Sensitivity: A person with 'pele sensível' has sensitive skin, meaning it reacts easily to irritants, temperature changes, or certain products. Similarly, a 'dente sensível' is a sensitive tooth, causing discomfort when exposed to hot, cold, or sweet foods.
  • Emotional Sensitivity: Someone who is 'muito sensível' is emotionally sensitive, easily affected by the moods, words, or actions of others. They might take things to heart more readily, feel empathy deeply, or be prone to strong emotional reactions. This can be seen as both a strength (empathy, compassion) and a potential vulnerability (easily hurt).
  • Sensory Acuity: It can also refer to heightened sensory perception. For example, a 'microfone sensível' is a sensitive microphone, capable of picking up subtle sounds. A 'nariz sensível' might describe a keen sense of smell.

**Extended Meanings and Nuances:**

Beyond its core meaning, 'sensível' takes on additional layers:

  • Delicate or Fragile: In some contexts, 'sensível' can imply delicacy or fragility. A 'planta sensível' might be a delicate plant that requires specific care to thrive. A 'questão sensível' could refer to a delicate or touchy subject that needs to be handled with care to avoid causing offense or conflict.
  • Vulnerable or Susceptible: It can also convey vulnerability or susceptibility to certain conditions or influences. A 'área sensível' in a region might be an ecologically vulnerable area. 'Sensível a críticas' means susceptible to criticism.
  • Important or Critical: When describing a situation or a topic, 'sensível' can mean important, critical, or requiring careful consideration. 'Decisões sensíveis' are critical decisions that have significant implications. 'Dados sensíveis' refers to sensitive data, such as personal information, that requires protection due to its importance and potential for misuse.
  • Perceptive or Discerning: In a more positive light, 'sensível' can describe someone who is perceptive, discerning, or has good judgment, especially in artistic or aesthetic matters. A 'olhar sensível' might refer to a discerning eye for beauty or detail.

**Grammatical Considerations:**

'Sensível' is an adjective and thus agrees in number with the noun it modifies. It does not change based on gender (it's the same for masculine and feminine nouns).

  • Singular: sensível (e.g., a pessoa sensível, o ponto sensível)
  • Plural: sensíveis (e.g., as pessoas sensíveis, os pontos sensíveis)

**Examples in Context:**

  • “Ele é muito sensível à luz.” (He is very sensitive to light.)
  • “Esta é uma questão bastante sensível.” (This is quite a sensitive issue.)
  • “Minha pele é sensível a este produto.” (My skin is sensitive to this product.)
  • “Ela tem uma alma sensível.” (She has a sensitive soul.)
  • “Os dados pessoais são sensíveis e devem ser protegidos.” (Personal data is sensitive and must be protected.)

Understanding 'sensível' requires paying attention to the surrounding words and the overall context of the sentence. It's a versatile word that enriches the Portuguese language, allowing for nuanced descriptions of physical, emotional, and conceptual sensitivities.

Beispiele

1

Ele é uma pessoa muito sensível.

describing a person's emotional nature

He is a very sensitive person.

2

A pele do bebê é muito sensível.

describing physical sensitivity

The baby's skin is very sensitive.

3

Este assunto é muito sensível e precisa ser tratado com cuidado.

referring to a delicate topic

This is a very sensitive subject and needs to be handled with care.

4

O sensor de movimento é extremamente sensível.

describing the responsiveness of a device

The motion sensor is extremely sensitive.

5

Ela tem um paladar muito sensível para vinhos.

describing a refined sense of taste

She has a very sensitive palate for wines.

Häufige Kollokationen

pessoa sensível
pele sensível
olhos sensíveis
questão sensível

Wird oft verwechselt mit

sensível vs sensual

While 'sensível' refers to being sensitive or perceptive, 'sensual' relates to the senses and physical pleasure. They are often confused due to similar spelling and pronunciation, but their meanings are distinct.

Grammatikmuster

**Ser sensível (to be sensitive):** Used to describe an inherent quality or characteristic. Ex: Ela é uma pessoa muito sensível. (She is a very sensitive person.) **Estar sensível (to be sensitive/sore temporarily):** Used to describe a temporary state or feeling. Ex: Meu dente está sensível ao frio. (My tooth is sensitive to cold.) **Tornar-se sensível (to become sensitive):** Used to describe a change in state or developing sensitivity. Ex: Ele se tornou mais sensível depois da experiência. (He became more sensitive after the experience.)

So verwendest du es

The primary usage of 'sensível' is to describe a person's emotional state or capacity for empathy, e.g., 'Ela é uma pessoa muito sensível' (She is a very sensitive person). It can also refer to physical sensations or reactions, such as 'Meus dentes estão sensíveis ao frio' (My teeth are sensitive to the cold) or 'A pele do bebê é muito sensível' (The baby's skin is very sensitive). When referring to a topic or issue, 'sensível' means delicate or requiring careful handling, e.g., 'É um assunto sensível' (It's a sensitive subject). It's important to differentiate 'sensível' from 'sensato,' which means sensible or wise. While both relate to understanding, 'sensível' emphasizes feeling, whereas 'sensato' emphasizes reason. Avoid using 'sensível' to mean 'sensory' in all contexts; 'sensorial' is the more appropriate term for that. The adverb form is 'sensivelmente,' meaning sensitively or noticeably, e.g., 'O preço aumentou sensivelmente' (The price increased noticeably).

Häufige Fehler

A common mistake might be confusing 'sensível' with 'sensible'. While 'sensible' in English often means 'practical' or 'reasonable', 'sensível' in Portuguese strictly means 'sensitive'. If you want to say someone is practical or reasonable in Portuguese, you would typically use words like 'sensato' or 'razoável'. For example, 'Ele é uma pessoa muito sensível' means 'He is a very sensitive person,' but if you said 'Ele é uma pessoa muito sensato,' it would mean 'He is a very sensible/reasonable person.'

Tipps

💡

Cognates & False Cognates

Be aware that 'sensível' in Portuguese directly translates to 'sensitive' in English, sharing a similar meaning. However, false cognates can exist in other contexts, so always verify the exact nuance.

💡

Common Usage

'Sensível' is frequently used to describe emotional states, physical reactions, and delicate situations. Mastering its use in these common contexts will significantly improve your fluency.

Wortherkunft

From Latin 'sensibilis', meaning 'perceptible by the senses', from 'sensus' (sense, feeling) + '-ibilis' (able to be, -ible). Cognate with English 'sensible'.

Kultureller Kontext

In Portuguese-speaking cultures, particularly in Brazil and Portugal, the word 'sensível' carries a similar weight to its English counterpart, 'sensitive,' but with some nuanced differences in connotation. While it primarily refers to emotional or physical responsiveness, it can also subtly imply a certain fragility or artistic temperament. For instance, describing someone as 'muito sensível' (very sensitive) can sometimes suggest they are easily offended or prone to strong emotional reactions, which might be viewed either empathetically or, in some contexts, as a slight weakness. However, it is also highly valued in artistic and intellectual circles, where a 'sensibilidade' (sensitivity) towards art, music, or social issues is considered a positive and desirable trait. It is less common to use 'sensível' to describe a practical or mechanical sensitivity (like a sensitive alarm) compared to English; instead, words like 'preciso' (precise) or 'delicado' (delicate) might be preferred.

Merkhilfe

Think of 'sensitive' in English. 'Sensível' sounds very similar and means the same thing. Both words share a Latin root, 'sensus', meaning 'sense' or 'feeling'.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

4 Fragen

The primary meaning of 'sensível' in Portuguese is 'sensitive'. This refers to the ability to perceive or feel something keenly, whether it be physical sensations, emotions, or subtle details. For example, a person might be 'sensível ao frio' (sensitive to cold) or 'sensível à crítica' (sensitive to criticism). It can also describe things that react easily to external stimuli, such as a 'balança sensível' (sensitive scale) that can detect small changes in weight. The word encompasses both physical and emotional responsiveness, making it a versatile term in the Portuguese language.

When describing emotional sensitivity, 'sensível' can be used to indicate someone who is easily affected by emotions, whether their own or others'. For instance, you could say: 'Ele é muito sensível e chora facilmente em filmes tristes.' (He is very sensitive and cries easily during sad movies.) Another example is: 'Ela tem um coração sensível e sempre se importa com o bem-estar dos outros.' (She has a sensitive heart and always cares about the well-being of others.) It highlights a capacity for deep feeling and empathy, often implying a gentle or tender nature.

Yes, beyond its primary meaning of 'sensitive,' 'sensível' has several other common meanings and nuances. It can describe something that is 'perceptible' or 'noticeable,' even if subtle, like 'uma mudança sensível na temperatura' (a noticeable change in temperature). It also refers to things that are 'delicate' or 'fragile,' such as 'uma pele sensível' (sensitive skin). In a more abstract sense, it can mean 'important' or 'crucial,' as in 'um ponto sensível na discussão' (a crucial point in the discussion). Additionally, in music, a 'nota sensível' (leading tone) refers to a specific note that creates tension leading to the tonic. These varied uses demonstrate the richness of the word.

While 'sensível' often carries positive or neutral connotations, implying empathy or keen perception, it can certainly be used in a negative context to suggest oversensitivity or even a perceived weakness. For example, if someone is described as 'demasiado sensível' (too sensitive), it might imply that they react excessively to minor issues or criticism, making them easily offended or upset. In certain situations, particularly in more informal speech, saying someone is 'sensível' could subtly suggest they lack resilience or toughness. However, whether it's negative largely depends on the context and the speaker's tone, as emotional depth can also be seen as a strength.

Teste dich selbst

fill blank

Ela é muito ____ a críticas.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
fill blank

A pele do bebê é muito ____.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
fill blank

Ele tem um paladar ____ para vinhos.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

Ergebnis: /3

Verwandte Inhalte

War das hilfreich?

Kommentare (0)

Zum Kommentieren Anmelden
Noch keine Kommentare. Sei der Erste, der seine Gedanken teilt!