敏感 mǐngǎn sensitive
sensitive; susceptible
How to remember 敏感: 敏 fast + 感 feel = sensitive.
Characters
How it is used
- Sensitive - reacting strongly, or touchy/delicate - 皮肤敏感 (pífū mǐngǎn) sensitive skin; 敏感话题 a sensitive topic.
- Two shades: physically/emotionally reactive (对花粉敏感 allergic to pollen), and socially delicate/touchy (政治敏感). 敏感期 = sensitive period.
- Distinguish from 灵敏 (língmǐn, sensitive/responsive of instruments/senses, a positive 'keen'). 敏感 often implies over-reactivity or delicacy.
Example sentences
- 他很敏感。 Tā hěn mǐngǎn.He is very sensitive.
- 不要对批评太敏感了。 Búyào duì pīpíng tài mǐngǎn le.Don't be too sensitive to criticism.
- 猫的眼睛对光很敏感。 Māo de yǎnjīng duìguāng hěn mǐngǎn.Cats' eyes are very sensitive to light.