敏感

• Pinyin: mǐn gǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 敏 = 每 (each) + 攵 (strike), quick action; 感 = 咸 (salty) + 心 (heart), feeling

Meaning

Sensitive; delicate. Quick to detect or respond to slight changes or influences.

Can describe physical sensitivity (skin, allergies), emotional sensitivity, or topic sensitivity (politically sensitive, commercially sensitive). May have positive connotations (perceptive) or negative ones (overly sensitive).

Examples

1. 这个话题很敏感，我们不要在公开场合讨论。 This topic is sensitive; let's not discuss it in public.
2. 她皮肤很敏感，不能用普通的化妆品。 Her skin is very sensitive; she can't use regular cosmetics.
3. 他对数字特别敏感，很适合做财务工作。 He's particularly sensitive to numbers; he's well-suited for financial work.

Usage Guide

Context: emotions, health, topics

Tone: cautious

Do Say

• 他对批评特别敏感。(He's particularly sensitive to criticism.)
• 这是个敏感时期，做事要小心。(This is a sensitive period; be careful in your actions.)

Don't Say

• 这本书很敏感。(Books aren't typically described as 敏感 — use 敏感话题 for sensitive topics within books)

Origin & History

敏 (mǐn, quick/agile) + 感 (gǎn, feel). Quick to feel or perceive.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal