"敏感的" describes a state of heightened responsiveness, whether physical, emotional, or situational, often implying delicacy or vulnerability.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Easily affected by external stimuli or internal changes.
- Describes delicate, subtle, or vulnerable things.
- Can refer to physical, emotional, or situational sensitivity.
Overview
“敏感的”这个词在汉语中具有多层含义，通常用来形容对外界刺激或内部变化容易产生反应的特性。从生理层面看，它可以指身体对某种物质（如花粉、药物）或环境（如阳光、声音）有较强的反应。从心理或情感层面看，它描述一个人心思细腻，容易受到他人言行或周围环境的影响，有时表现为善解人意，有时则可能显得脆弱或容易受伤。此外，“敏感的”也可以用来形容事物本身的属性，指其精细、微妙，容易受外部因素影响，需要谨慎对待，例如敏感数据、敏感话题或高精度仪器等。因此，这个词的褒贬义色彩并非固定，而是取决于具体的语境和所指对象。
“敏感的”作为一个形容词，在句子中主要有以下几种用法：
**与动词搭配**：与“变得”、“显得”等动词搭配，表示状态的变化。例如：他最近变得很敏感。这让问题显得更加敏感。
“敏感的”常见于以下几类语境中：
**技术/科学方面**：描述仪器、数据或系统的精密度和对变化的反应。例如：敏感仪器、敏感数据、传感器很敏感。
- 1敏锐 (mǐnruì)：侧重于感觉、观察或思维的灵敏、洞察力强，通常是褒义。例如：目光敏锐、观察敏锐、思维敏锐。与“敏感的”在感官反应上有所重叠，但“敏锐”更强调主动的、积极的、准确的感知和判断能力。
- 1脆弱 (cuìruò)：强调容易受损、不坚固，常用于形容物质或情感上的弱点。例如：玻璃很脆弱、心灵脆弱。与“敏感的”在“容易受伤害”的方面有交集，但“脆弱”更侧重于结果（易碎、易伤），而“敏感的”侧重于过程（易反应、易受影响）。
- 1精细 (jīngxì)：强调事物制作或处理的细致、精确，不粗糙。例如：精细的工艺、精细的描写。可以用来形容“敏感的”事物需要精细处理，但“精细”本身不带有“易受影响”的含义，更多是描述事物的品质。
- 1细腻 (nìxì)：形容情感、描写或手法细致入微，常是褒义。例如：情感细腻、描写细腻。与“敏感的”在情感层面有相似之处，但“细腻”更强调对细节的捕捉、体会和表达，而“敏感的”更强调对刺激的反应和感受。
Examples
她的皮肤很敏感，一晒太阳就容易发红。
everydayHer skin is very sensitive; it easily turns red when exposed to the sun.
这个问题涉及多方利益，是一个非常敏感的话题。
formalThis issue involves the interests of multiple parties and is a very sensitive topic.
别说他坏话，他那个人可敏感了，肯定会生气的。
informalDon't speak ill of him; he's quite sensitive and will definitely get angry.
实验结果表明，该传感器对温度变化具有高度敏感性。
academicThe experimental results show that this sensor has high sensitivity to temperature changes.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
敏感时期
sensitive period/time
敏感区域
sensitive area/zone
敏感神经
sensitive nerve (figurative: touchy subject)
Often Confused With
"敏锐" emphasizes sharp perception, keen insight, or quick understanding, often in a positive sense (e.g., sharp eyes, keen observation). "敏感的" focuses on being easily affected or reactive to stimuli, which can be positive (perceptive), neutral (responsive), or negative (overly emotional).
"脆弱" means fragile or vulnerable, emphasizing a lack of strength or resilience, making something easily broken or hurt. While "敏感的" can imply vulnerability, its primary meaning is about responsiveness to stimuli, not necessarily inherent weakness. A sensitive person might be strong but still react strongly to certain things.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
"敏感的" can be used in various contexts: physical, emotional, social, and technical. Its connotation (positive, neutral, negative) often depends heavily on the specific context and the noun it modifies. When describing a person, it can imply being perceptive and empathetic (positive) or easily offended and overly emotional (negative).
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using "敏感的" interchangeably with "敏锐的" when referring to keen observation; "敏锐的" is more appropriate for sharp senses or intellect. Another error is always assuming a negative connotation when describing a person as "敏感的"; sometimes it simply means they are perceptive and empathetic, especially in contexts of understanding others' feelings.
Tips
Understanding Nuances
"敏感的" has varying connotations. It can be positive (perceptive), neutral (responsive), or negative (overly reactive). Always pay attention to the specific context to grasp its intended meaning.
Avoiding Misinterpretation
When describing people, be careful. Simply saying someone is "敏感的" without context might imply they are easily offended or overly emotional, which could be misconstrued. Specify the type of sensitivity.
Emotional Expression
In some Chinese cultural contexts, openly discussing "敏感的" emotions might be less common than in Western cultures. There's often a preference for more subtle expressions or indirect communication regarding personal feelings.
Word Origin
The word "敏感" is composed of "敏" (mǐn), meaning quick, clever, sharp, and "感" (gǎn), meaning feel, perceive, sense. Together, they convey the idea of being quick to perceive or react, thus "sensitive." It's a classical Chinese compound emphasizing the speed and depth of perception or reaction.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, being "敏感的" (sensitive) can be seen as a double-edged sword. While it can imply empathy and carefulness, especially in interpersonal relationships, excessive emotional sensitivity might sometimes be viewed as a lack of resilience or emotional maturity, particularly in more traditional contexts. It's often valued in artists or those who handle delicate situations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'Min Gan' (sounds like 'mint can') that's so delicate, it's sensitive to every touch, easily dented or reacting to temperature. Or think of a 'Min' (person's name) who 'Gan' (feels) everything intensely, making them very sensitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“敏感的”侧重于对外界刺激或内部变化的被动反应，可以是生理、心理或事物属性上的。而“敏锐的”则强调感官、思维或洞察力的主动、积极和准确，通常带有褒义。例如，你可以说“他心思很敏感”，但会说“他观察很敏锐”。
这取决于语境。如果指心思细腻、善解人意、能体察他人情绪，那是褒义。但如果指情绪不稳定、容易受伤或过度反应，则可能带有贬义。例如，“她是个敏感的艺术家”通常是褒义，而“他太敏感了，一点小事就生气”则带有贬义。
它可以形容人的皮肤、情绪、心理状态；也可以形容话题、时期、数据、仪器等非生命体。例如：敏感肌肤、敏感话题、敏感时期、敏感数据、敏感的探测器。
在使用“敏感的”时，最好明确指出是哪种敏感，并结合具体语境来选择合适的表达。例如，与其说“他很敏感”，不如说“他对批评很敏感”或“他心思很细腻”，这样能更清晰地传达意思，避免歧义。
Test Yourself
他的皮肤很___，对很多化妆品都会过敏。
这里指皮肤对外界刺激容易产生反应，符合“敏感”的生理含义。
A. 他太敏感了，一点小事就生气。 B. 这台仪器非常敏感，能探测到微小的变化。 C. 她对别人的情绪很敏感，总能体察到细微之处。 D. 这个问题很敏感，我们最好不要公开讨论。
选项C形容一个人心思细腻，能够体察他人情绪，是褒义的用法。选项A是贬义，B是中性，D是中性偏负面（需要谨慎处理）。
在那个特殊的时期，任何关于___的言论都可能引起轩然大波。
句子语境是“特殊时期”和“引起轩然大波”，需要一个社会或政治层面的敏感对象，因此“敏感的政治话题”最符合。
Score: /3
Summary
"敏感的" describes a state of heightened responsiveness, whether physical, emotional, or situational, often implying delicacy or vulnerability.
- Easily affected by external stimuli or internal changes.
- Describes delicate, subtle, or vulnerable things.
- Can refer to physical, emotional, or situational sensitivity.
Understanding Nuances
"敏感的" has varying connotations. It can be positive (perceptive), neutral (responsive), or negative (overly reactive). Always pay attention to the specific context to grasp its intended meaning.
Avoiding Misinterpretation
When describing people, be careful. Simply saying someone is "敏感的" without context might imply they are easily offended or overly emotional, which could be misconstrued. Specify the type of sensitivity.
Emotional Expression
In some Chinese cultural contexts, openly discussing "敏感的" emotions might be less common than in Western cultures. There's often a preference for more subtle expressions or indirect communication regarding personal feelings.
Examples
4 of 4她的皮肤很敏感，一晒太阳就容易发红。
Her skin is very sensitive; it easily turns red when exposed to the sun.
这个问题涉及多方利益，是一个非常敏感的话题。
This issue involves the interests of multiple parties and is a very sensitive topic.
别说他坏话，他那个人可敏感了，肯定会生气的。
Don't speak ill of him; he's quite sensitive and will definitely get angry.
实验结果表明，该传感器对温度变化具有高度敏感性。
The experimental results show that this sensor has high sensitivity to temperature changes.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More work words
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2accident; mishap
依照
A2According to; in accordance with.
准确地
A2accurately, precisely
做到
A2to achieve; to accomplish
积极地
A2actively; enthusiastically
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Administration; the management of affairs.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2To approve of, to endorse; to agree with or support.
