Japanese word

敏感

Pronunciation

Romajibinkan

Meaning

  • na-adjectivesensitive

Example

この子は音に敏感です。ko no ko wa oto ni bin kan de su

This child is sensitive to noise.

Illustration for 敏感 (sensitive)

More examples

彼は人の気持ちの変化に敏感です。kare wa hito no ki mo chi no hen ka ni bin kan de su

He is sensitive to changes in people's feelings.

Core concept

Describes a readiness to notice small changes and a tendency to respond strongly to them.

Common phrases

  • 刺激に敏感なshi geki ni bin kan na

    sensitive to stimuli

  • 音に敏感なoto ni bin kan na

    sensitive to sound

  • 敏感に反応するbin kan ni han nō su ru

    react sensitively

Similar words

鋭敏eibin: Describes an ability to notice very small changes through the senses.
過敏kabin: Describes an excessive response to sounds, light, or other physical stimuli.
繊細sensai: Describes a delicate nature that responds readily to small changes.

Definition in Japanese

わずかな刺激や変化にも気づき、それに強く反応する性質があるさま。wa zu ka na shi geki ya hen ka ni mo ki zu ki so re ni tsuyo ku han nō su ru sei shitsu ga a ru sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 敏感 (binkan, "sensitive") joins 敏 (bin, "quick") with 感 (kan, "feel"), giving the sense of feeling something quickly.

Usage tips

  • English speakers also use sensitive for topics that may hurt feelings, but 敏感 (binkan) in phrases about sound or light points to physical sensitivity.

Other meanings

  • alertna-adjective
  • susceptiblena-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 敏感さbinkansasensitivitynoun

Word lists with this word