HSP
Meaning: Highly Sensitive Person — someone who is easily overstimulated by sensory input, emotions, or social situations.
HSP became a major buzzword in Japan in the early 2020s, with books, TV segments, and social media posts about the concept exploding in popularity. Many Japanese people found the label relieving — it gave a name to their lifelong experiences of being overwhelmed by noise, crowds, or others' emotions. The concept resonated particularly well in Japan's collectivist culture, where sensitivity to social cues is both valued and exhausting. Critics note that HSP is not an official medical diagnosis, and self-diagnosis through online quizzes has become extremely common.
Examples
- 自分HSPだから、人混みにいるだけでぐったりする。 我是HSP,光是待在人群中就累得不行。Soy PAS, así que solo con estar en una aglomeración ya acabo agotado.나 HSP라서 사람 많은 곳에 있기만 해도 녹초가 돼.
- HSPって知ってから、自分が生きづらい理由がわかった気がする。 知道了HSP之后,感觉终于明白了自己活得艰辛的原因。Desde que supe lo que era PAS, siento que entendí por qué la vida me resulta tan difícil.HSP라는 걸 알고 나서, 내가 살기 힘든 이유를 알 것 같았어.
- HSPの人は刺激に敏感だから、一人の時間が大事なんだって。 HSP的人对刺激很敏感,所以独处的时间很重要。Las personas PAS son sensibles a los estímulos, por eso necesitan tiempo a solas.HSP인 사람은 자극에 민감해서 혼자만의 시간이 중요하대.
Pronunciation
/e.i.tɕi.e.su.piː/
Usage Guide
Context: social media, self-help, friends, daily conversation
Tone: self-identifying, explanatory
✓ Do Say
- HSPの気質があるから、大人数の飲み会は苦手なんだ。 (I have HSP traits, so I'm not great with big drinking parties.)我有HSP特质,所以不太擅长人多的聚会。(I have HSP traits, so I'm not great with big drinking parties.)Tengo rasgos de PAS, así que las quedadas con mucha gente no son lo mío.HSP 기질이 있어서 대규모 회식은 잘 못해.
- HSPについての本読んだら、自分のことが理解できた。 (Reading a book about HSP helped me understand myself.)读了关于HSP的书之后,更了解自己了。(Reading a book about HSP helped me understand myself.)Leí un libro sobre PAS y me ayudó a entenderme a mí mismo.HSP에 관한 책을 읽고 나니까 나 자신을 이해하게 됐어.
✗ Don't Say
- 「HSPは甘え」と否定するのは相手を傷つける (Dismissing HSP as 'just being soft' hurts people who genuinely struggle with sensory overload)用'HSP就是矫情'来否定对方会伤害那些真正在感官过载中挣扎的人Desestimar la alta sensibilidad diciendo «es cosa de blandos» hiere a quienes sufren de verdad con la sobreestimulación sensorial.「HSP는 나약한 거야」라고 부정하는 건 상대를 상처 주는 거야 — 감각 과부하로 진심으로 힘들어하는 사람들이 있다
Common Mistakes
- Treating HSP as an official medical diagnosis — it is a personality trait concept, not a clinical disorder. Self-diagnosis from online quizzes should be taken with caution
Origin & History
From English 'Highly Sensitive Person,' a concept introduced by psychologist Elaine Aron in the 1990s. Became a major cultural phenomenon in Japan around 2020, with bestselling books and widespread media coverage.
Cultural Context
Era: 2020s boom in Japan, concept from 1990s
Generation: 20s-40s, especially women
Social background: Universal, self-help community
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. HSP-related books became bestsellers, and the term is now widely recognized even by people who don't identify with it.
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