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B1 adjective 5 min read

神経質な

shinkeishitsu na
Examples Notes & Tips 神経質な in 30 Seconds
Explanation 神経質な in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to use '神経質な' (shinkitsu-na) often, but it's good to recognize it as a word for describing a person. Think of it as a way to say someone is 'picky' or 'too sensitive.' In simple Japanese, you might usually say '心配性' (shinpai-shou - a worrier) or just '厳しい' (kibishii - strict), but 'shinkitsu-na' specifically points to their nerves. At this stage, just remember that it ends in 'na' when it describes a person: 'shinkitsu na hito' (a nervous/fussy person). You might hear it when someone is talking about why they can't sleep or why they are cleaning so much. It is a more advanced way to describe someone's character than just saying 'good' or 'bad.' If you meet someone who gets upset by small noises, they are 'shinkitsu.'
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At the A2 level, you can start using '神経質な' to describe specific habits. You should know that it is a 'na-adjective.' This means you say 'shinkitsu desu' (is nervous/fussy) and 'shinkitsu na hito' (a fussy person). A2 learners often confuse this with 'kincho' (feeling nervous/tense before a speech). Remember: 'kincho' is a feeling that comes and goes, while 'shinkitsu' is part of who the person is. You can use it to describe yourself if you are very careful about things: 'Watashi wa shinkitsu desu.' It is helpful for explaining your preferences, like if you need a very clean room or a very quiet study space. You might see it in simple stories to describe a character who is a bit difficult or very serious.
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At the B1 level, you should be able to use '神経質な' with particles to specify what someone is sensitive about. The most important pattern is '[Noun] + に/に対して + 神経質' (sensitive toward [Noun]). For example, 'oto ni shinkitsu' (sensitive to noise) or 'eisei ni shinkitsu' (sensitive about hygiene). You should also understand the adverbial form 'shinkitsu ni,' which describes doing something in a high-strung or overly careful way. At this level, you start to see the social nuance: calling someone 'shinkitsu' can be a bit rude because it implies they are 'too' sensitive. You should also be able to distinguish it from 'kichomen' (methodical/organized), which is the positive version of being detailed-oriented. Understanding this word helps you navigate Japanese social interactions where people might be complaining about a 'shinkitsu' boss or roommate.
At the B2 level, you should master the nuance of '神経質な' in various contexts, including its psychological and social implications. You should understand that it can describe a temporary state caused by stress—'shinkitsu ni naru' (to become high-strung). You will encounter this word in literature and news reports, often describing reactions to social issues or environmental changes. For instance, 'shakai ga shinkitsu ni natte iru' (society is becoming sensitive/on edge). You should also be able to use synonyms like 'sensai' (delicate) or 'komakai' (detailed) to provide more precise descriptions. At B2, you should understand that 'shinkitsu' can be used to describe the 'mood' of a place or a group of people, not just an individual. It reflects a state of hyper-vigilance.
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At the C1 level, you should recognize '神経質な' in academic or clinical contexts, though 'shinkei-shitsu' (the noun form) is often used to discuss neuroticism in a psychological sense. You should be able to appreciate the subtle difference between 'shinkitsu' as a character flaw and 'shinkitsu' as a professional necessity in fields like high-precision engineering or classical music. You should be comfortable using the word in complex sentences with conditional structures or formal grammar. For example, discussing how a 'shinkitsu' temperament might be a prerequisite for certain types of craftsmanship. You should also understand how the word interacts with Japanese cultural concepts like 'ki' (energy/focus), and how being 'shinkitsu' relates to the broader Japanese social expectation of 'kuuki o yomu' (reading the air).
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At the C2 level, you should have a native-like grasp of the word's evocative power. You can use '神経質な' to describe not just people, but also the 'nervous' quality of a piece of music, the 'jittery' movement of a film's camera work, or the 'fretful' atmosphere of a political climate. You should understand its etymological roots and how it has shifted from a purely medical term to a common social descriptor. You can use it to engage in deep discussions about personality theory or the stresses of modern urban life in Japan. At this level, you are aware of the potential for the word to sound judgmental and can use it or avoid it with perfect pragmatic control. You might use it to describe a 'shinkitsu na gihou' (a fastidious technique) in traditional arts, where every millimeter of movement is scrutinized.
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Examples Notes & Tips

神経質な in 30 Seconds

  • Shinkitsu-na describes a high-strung, fussy, or overly sensitive personality.
  • It is a na-adjective used for people, reactions, and attitudes.
  • Commonly used for sensitivity to noise, hygiene, and minor details.
  • Often carries a slightly negative connotation of being 'too difficult' or 'picky'.

The Japanese word 神経質な (shinkitsu-na) is a nuanced na-adjective that describes a specific type of personality or state of mind. While often translated as 'nervous' or 'sensitive,' its usage in Japanese society carries a heavy emphasis on being overly sensitive to details, cleanliness, or small changes in the environment. It is derived from the word 神経 (shinkei), meaning 'nerve,' and 質 (shitsu), meaning 'nature' or 'quality.' Therefore, it literally describes a person whose 'nerve-quality' is highly reactive.

Core Nuance
Unlike the English word 'nervous,' which often implies being scared or anxious about a specific upcoming event (like a test), shinkitsu-na refers to a chronic disposition. It describes someone who is 'high-strung' or 'fussy.' If someone cannot sleep because a clock is ticking in the next room, they are being shinkitsu.

彼は非常に神経質な性格で、机の上のペンが少しでも曲がっていると気が済まない。
(He has a very fastidious personality and can't rest if the pens on his desk are even slightly crooked.)

In Japanese culture, where harmony and attention to detail are valued, being shinkitsu can be seen as both a burden and a sign of a meticulous worker. However, in most social contexts, calling someone shinkitsu is slightly pejorative, implying they are 'difficult' or 'too picky.' It suggests that the person’s sensitivity is causing stress to themselves or those around them.

Environmental Sensitivity
It is frequently used when discussing sleep or study environments. Someone who is shinkitsu about noise (音に対して神経質) might need total silence to function.

都会の騒音に神経質な人には、この静かな村は最適です。
(For people who are sensitive to city noise, this quiet village is perfect.)

Grammatically, 神経質 (shinkitsu) is a na-adjective. This means it follows the standard rules for modifying nouns and ending sentences. To describe a person directly, you use shinkitsu na [person], and to describe a state, you use shinkitsu da/desu.

Noun Modification
When placing it before a noun, you must include な (na). For example: shinkitsu na joushi (a fussy boss).

神経質な反応を見せる。
(To show a nervous/sensitive reaction.)

One of the most common grammatical patterns is [Target] + に対して (ni taishite) + shinkitsu. This indicates what specific thing the person is sensitive about. Common targets include hygiene (衛生), noise (音), and time (時間).

彼女は食べ物の鮮度にとても神経質だ。
(She is very sensitive about the freshness of food.)

Adverbial Form
To describe how an action is performed, change na to ni: 神経質に (shinkitsu ni). For example: shinkitsu ni kabe o fuku (to wipe the wall fastidiously).

彼は神経質に辺りを見回した。
(He looked around nervously/sensitively.)

You will encounter 神経質な in a variety of social settings, ranging from casual gossip to psychological discussions. Because it describes a personality trait, it is a staple in character descriptions in literature and anime.

In the Workplace
Managers might use it to describe a client who is very difficult to please because they check every minor detail. Alternatively, a coworker might warn you that the boss is shinkitsu about deadlines.

あのクライアントは細かい数字に神経質だから、資料は完璧に作って。
(That client is fastidious about small numbers, so make the documents perfectly.)

In medical or counseling contexts, doctors might use it to describe a patient's temperament. It isn't necessarily a diagnosis of 'neurosis' (which is shinkei-shou), but it describes a state of high arousal or anxiety.

最近、彼は仕事のストレスで少し神経質になっているようだ。
(Lately, he seems to be getting a bit high-strung due to work stress.)

Daily Life
You'll hear it when people talk about their living situation. Roommates often complain that one person is too shinkitsu about cleaning the kitchen or bathroom.

ルームメイトが掃除に神経質すぎて、一緒に住むのが大変だ。
(My roommate is too fussy about cleaning, so it's hard to live together.)

The most common mistake English speakers make is using 神経質な (shinkitsu-na) when they actually mean 'nervous' in the sense of 'excited' or 'anxious about a performance.'

Mistake: Shinkitsu vs. Kincho
If you are about to give a speech and your heart is pounding, you are 緊張している (kincho shite iru), not shinkitsu. Using shinkitsu here would imply you are suddenly becoming a fussy, high-strung person who is annoyed by the lighting, rather than just being 'nervous' about the speech.

❌ 発表の前なので神経質です。
✅ 発表の前なので緊張しています。
(Correct: I am nervous [kincho] because it's before the presentation.)

Another mistake is the confusion between 'sensitive' (empathetic) and 'sensitive' (easily irritated). If you want to say someone is kind and sensitive to other people's feelings, shinkitsu is wrong. Use 感受性が豊かな (kanjousei ga yutaka na) or 思いやりのある (omoiyari no aru).

Mistake: Confusing with 'Strict'
While a shinkitsu person might seem strict, the word for 'strict' is 厳しい (kibishii). Shinkitsu is about the person's internal temperament, while kibishii is about the rules they enforce on others.

❌ 彼は時間に厳しいので、1分でも遅れると怒る。
✅ 彼は時間に神経質なので、1分でも遅れると気になる。
(Note: Use 'shinkitsu' if it's about their personal anxiety/fixation, 'kibishii' if it's about their discipline.)

To truly master 神経質な, you must understand how it compares to other Japanese words for sensitivity and meticulousness. Japanese has many words for 'details' and 'nerves.'

神経質 vs. 几帳面 (Kichomen)
Kichomen is almost always positive. It means 'methodical' or 'punctilious.' A kichomen person is organized and reliable. A shinkitsu person is meticulous but often because they are stressed or irritable about it.

彼は几帳面な人なので、仕事が丁寧だ。
(He is a methodical person, so his work is thorough.)

神経質 vs. 繊細 (Sensai)
Sensai means 'delicate' or 'fine.' It is used for art, feelings, or thin glass. When applied to people, it usually means 'emotionally delicate' or 'sensitive' in a poetic or vulnerable way. Shinkitsu is more about being 'on edge' or 'picky.'

彼女は繊細な心の持ち主だ。
(She is a person with a delicate/sensitive heart.)

神経質 vs. 細かい (Komakai)
Komakai literally means 'small' or 'fine.' As a personality trait, it means 'detailed-oriented.' It is very close to shinkitsu but less focused on the 'nerves.' You can be komakai without being stressed; you just like details.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'shinkei' (nerve) was created during the 'Rangaku' (Dutch Learning) period when Japanese scholars were translating Western medical texts.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ɕiŋkeːɕitsɯna
US ɕiŋkeːɕitsɯna
Pitch accent is usually on 'shinkei' with a drop after 'kei'.
Rhymes With
shitsu (quality) jitsu (truth) hitsu (writing brush) mitsu (honey) shitsu (room) butsu (thing) setsu (theory) ketsu (decision)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'tsu' as 'too'. It should be like the 'ts' in 'cats'.
  • Shortening the long 'ei' sound to a short 'e'.
  • Over-stressing the 'na' at the end.
  • Misplacing the nasal 'n' sound.
  • Confusing the pitch accent with English-style stress.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji are common but require knowledge of 'nerve' and 'quality'.

Writing 4/5

Writing 'shinkei' (神経) from memory can be tricky due to the strokes.

Speaking 3/5

Easy to pronounce once you master 'tsu'.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound, easy to pick out in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

神経 性格 厳しい 心配

Learn Next

几帳面 繊細 過敏 情緒

Advanced

神経症 森田療法 感受性 緻密
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Examples by Level

1

彼は神経質な人です。

He is a nervous/fussy person.

Uses 'na' to connect the adjective to the noun 'hito'.

2

私は少し神経質です。

I am a little nervous/sensitive.

Standard 'desu' ending for a state.

3

神経質な犬ですね。

That's a sensitive/nervous dog, isn't it?

Describing an animal's temperament.

4

あまり神経質にならないで。

Don't be so nervous/fussy.

Negative 'ni naru' (become) form.

5

母は掃除に神経質です。

My mother is fussy about cleaning.

Using 'ni' to show what she is fussy about.

6

神経質な性格ですね。

You have a sensitive personality, don't you?

Describing 'seikaku' (personality).

7

この子は音が神経質です。

This child is sensitive to sound.

Informal use of 'ga' or 'ni' with target.

8

神経質な態度は嫌われます。

A fussy attitude is disliked.

Describing 'taido' (attitude).

1

彼は食べ物の味に神経質だ。

He is fussy about the taste of food.

Targeting 'taste' with 'ni'.

2

神経質な人は、夜寝るのが大変です。

Nervous people have a hard time sleeping at night.

General statement about a type of person.

3

新しい環境で神経質になっている。

I am becoming nervous in the new environment.

'te-iru' form showing a current state.

4

彼女は時間にとても神経質です。

She is very sensitive about time.

Using 'totemo' to intensify.

5

神経質な上司と一緒に働くのは疲れる。

Working with a fussy boss is tiring.

Noun modification with 'na'.

6

彼は自分の見た目に神経質だ。

He is sensitive about his appearance.

Targeting 'appearance'.

7

そんなに神経質に考えないでください。

Please don't think so nervously/fretfully.

Adverbial 'ni' modifying 'kangaeru'.

8

神経質な反応をしないで。

Don't react so sensitively.

Describing a 'reaction'.

1

彼は他人の評価に対して非常に神経質だ。

He is extremely sensitive to others' evaluations.

Formal 'ni taishite' usage.

2

神経質な人は、細かいミスも見逃さない。

A fastidious person doesn't overlook even small mistakes.

Shows the positive/negative duality of the word.

3

隣の部屋の音に神経質になって、勉強に集中できない。

I've become sensitive to the noise next door and can't focus on studying.

Causal 'te' form connecting sensitivity to an outcome.

4

彼女は衛生面に神経質すぎて、外食を避けている。

She is too fussy about hygiene, so she avoids eating out.

Suffix '-sugiru' (too much) attached to the stem.

5

神経質な気質は、芸術家には必要かもしれない。

A sensitive temperament might be necessary for an artist.

Using 'kishitsu' (temperament).

6

彼は神経質に指で机を叩いた。

He tapped the desk with his fingers nervously.

Adverbial use describing a physical action.

7

あまりに神経質な対応は、客を不快にさせる。

An overly sensitive response makes customers uncomfortable.

Describing a 'response' or 'handling'.

8

彼は健康に対して過剰なほど神経質だ。

He is excessively sensitive about his health.

'Kajou na hodo' (to an excessive degree).

1

現代社会では、プライバシーに対して神経質な人が増えている。

In modern society, more people are becoming sensitive about privacy.

Societal context usage.

2

神経質な性格が災いして、人間関係がうまくいかない。

His high-strung personality is a curse, and his relationships don't go well.

'Wazawai shite' (acting as a misfortune).

3

彼は言葉の端々に神経質なニュアンスを込める。

He puts a nervous/sensitive nuance into every word he says.

Abstract usage describing communication style.

4

投資家は市場の動向に非常に神経質になっている。

Investors are becoming very sensitive to market trends.

Economic/professional context.

5

その作家は、言葉の選び方に神経質なほどこだわっている。

That writer is so fastidious about word choice that it's almost nervous.

'Hodo' used for emphasis.

6

神経質な人ほど、環境の変化にストレスを感じやすい。

The more high-strung a person is, the easier it is for them to feel stress from environmental changes.

'Hodo' (the more... the more...) structure.

7

彼は神経質なまでに細部に注意を払う。

He pays attention to detail to a nervous degree.

'Made ni' used as 'to the extent of'.

8

試験の結果を待つ間、彼は神経質に振る舞った。

While waiting for the exam results, he behaved nervously.

Describing behavior (furumau).

1

彼の神経質なまでの完璧主義が、チームの士気を下げている。

His nervous-level perfectionism is lowering the team's morale.

Complex noun phrase as a subject.

2

そのバイオリニストは、弦の調整に神経質なこだわりを見せた。

The violinist showed a fastidious obsession with tuning the strings.

Professional/artistic obsession.

3

外交官は、一言一句の解釈に神経質にならざるを得ない。

Diplomats cannot help but be sensitive to the interpretation of every single word.

'Zaru o enai' (cannot help but).

4

神経質な気質は、時として創造性の源泉となることもある。

A sensitive temperament can sometimes be the source of creativity.

Philosophical/abstract discussion.

5

彼は周囲の視線を神経質なほどに意識している。

He is conscious of others' gazes to a nervous degree.

Focus on social anxiety.

6

この建築は、光の入り方に神経質な計算がなされている。

This architecture has fastidious calculations regarding how light enters.

Passive voice 'nasarete iru'.

7

神経質な反応を抑制することが、リーダーには求められる。

Leaders are required to suppress nervous/high-strung reactions.

Formal requirement structure.

8

彼は神経質に、しかし正確に作業を進めた。

He proceeded with the work nervously, yet accurately.

Contrastive adverbs.

1

その小説の文体は、神経質なまでの緻密さで構成されている。

The writing style of that novel is constructed with a fastidiousness that borders on the neurotic.

Literary analysis.

2

政治情勢の不安定化に伴い、世論はかつてないほど神経質になっている。

With the destabilization of the political situation, public opinion has become more sensitive than ever before.

Abstract societal application.

3

彼は神経質なまでに自己のアイデンティティを規定しようとする。

He attempts to define his own identity to a fastidious, almost anxious degree.

Psychological/philosophical depth.

4

この精密機器の製造には、神経質なまでの品質管理が不可欠だ。

Fastidious quality control is essential for the manufacturing of this precision equipment.

Industrial/technical context.

5

指揮者はオーケストラの音色に対して、神経質なほどの要求を突きつけた。

The conductor made fastidious demands regarding the orchestra's tone.

High-level professional context.

6

神経質な感受性が、彼を世俗の喧騒から遠ざけている。

His sensitive sensibilities keep him away from the hustle and bustle of the mundane world.

Poetic/elevated register.

7

彼は自分の過去の過ちに対して、神経質なまでに自責の念を抱いている。

He harbors a sense of self-reproach for his past mistakes to a fastidious degree.

Internal psychological state.

8

その映画の演出には、神経質なまでのこだわりが随所に見られる。

The director's fastidious obsession is visible throughout the film's production.

Artistic critique.

Common Collocations

神経質な性格
音に神経質
衛生に神経質
神経質な反応
神経質になる
神経質すぎる
周囲に神経質
神経質なこだわり
神経質に振る舞う
神経質な面

Common Phrases

神経質に考える

— To overthink or worry too much about details.

あまり神経質に考えない方がいい。

音に対して神経質

— To be sensitive to noise.

彼は隣の音に対して神経質だ。

神経質な人だね

— You're a fussy person, aren't you? (Often a light criticism).

そんなところまで気にするなんて、神経質な人だね。

神経質を直す

— To fix or overcome one's fussy nature.

神経質を直したいと思っている。

神経質に反応する

— To react in a high-strung or sensitive way.

些細なことに神経質に反応する。

神経質なまで

— To the point of being nervous/fussy.

神経質なまでに正確だ。

神経質な気質

— A high-strung temperament.

彼は生まれつき神経質な気質だ。

神経質になりがち

— Tending to become nervous/fussy.

疲れると神経質になりがちだ。

神経質にチェックする

— To check something fastidiously.

書類を神経質にチェックする。

神経質なタイプ

— The nervous/fussy type of person.

私は神経質なタイプではない。

Idioms & Expressions

"神経を尖らせる"

— To be on edge or highly alert.

周囲の動きに神経を尖らせる。

Literary
"神経に障る"

— To get on one's nerves.

彼の話し方は神経に障る。

Neutral
"神経を疑う"

— To doubt someone's sanity or common sense.

あんなことをするなんて神経を疑う。

Informal
"神経をすり減らす"

— To fray one's nerves (to be worn out).

育児で神経をすり減らす。

Neutral
"神経が図太い"

— To have thick nerves (to be bold/shameless).

彼は神経が図太いので、何を言われても平気だ。

Informal
"神経を逆なでする"

— To rub someone the wrong way.

彼の態度は私の神経を逆なでする。

Neutral
"神経を使う"

— To use one's nerves (to pay a lot of attention/care).

お客様にはとても神経を使う。

Neutral
"無神経な"

— Insensitive or thoughtless.

彼は無神経な発言が多い。

Negative
"神経過敏"

— Hypersensitivity.

彼は少し神経過敏になっている。

Medical/Formal
"神経を集中させる"

— To concentrate one's focus.

仕事に神経を集中させる。

Neutral

Word Family

Nouns

神経 (shinkei - nerve)
神経質 (shinkei-shitsu - nervousness/neuroticism)
神経症 (shinkei-shou - neurosis)

Verbs

神経を尖らせる (shinkei o togaraseru - to be on edge)

Adjectives

神経質な (shinkitsu-na)
無神経な (mushinkei-na - insensitive)

Related

几帳面 (kichomen)
繊細 (sensai)
過敏 (kabin)
細部 (saibu)
気質 (kishitsu)
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Shin' (Spirit) + 'Kei' (Path) + 'Shitsu' (Quality). A person whose 'spirit paths' are of a high 'quality' (too high!) is a nervous person.

Visual Association

Imagine a person looking at a single grain of rice on a clean floor with a magnifying glass. That is 'shinkitsu'.

Word Web

Nerve Quality Sensitivity Fussy Fastidious Meticulous High-strung Reactive

Challenge

Try to identify one thing you are 'shinkitsu' about today and say it in Japanese: 'Watashi wa [thing] ni shinkitsu desu.'

Word Origin

The word is composed of '神経' (shinkei), which was coined in the late 18th century as a translation for 'nerve' by Sugita Genpaku, and '質' (shitsu), meaning quality or nature.

Original meaning: The 'nature of one's nerves.'

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Be careful when calling someone 'shinkitsu' to their face, as it can sound like you are calling them 'annoying' or 'difficult.'

In English, 'nervous' usually means temporary anxiety. In Japanese, 'shinkitsu' is a personality trait.

Morita Therapy (Psychology) Blood Type A personality tropes Natsume Soseki's characters

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Cleaning/Hygiene

  • 汚れに神経質
  • 掃除に神経質
  • 潔癖症
  • 除菌

Workplace

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