sensitive

敏感な、傷つきやすい

触れられるなどの刺激で、痛みや不快感、損傷が生じやすい。

やさしい英語で： Easily hurt, damaged, or made uncomfortable by touch or other things.

• This cream is for sensitive skin.
• My teeth are sensitive to cold drinks.
• Be gentle; that area is still sensitive.

使い方： sensitive to something (My skin is sensitive to sunlight.)

類義語： delicate, tender

よく使う表現： sensitive skin, sensitive teeth, sensitive to heat

思いやりのある、気配りのある

相手の気持ちを理解し、傷つけないよう気を配る。

やさしい英語で： Understanding other people’s feelings and being careful not to hurt them.

• She is a sensitive listener.
• He was sensitive to her feelings after the argument.
• We need a sensitive approach when talking to children.

使い方： sensitive to something (Our teacher is sensitive to the needs of shy students.)

類義語： considerate, understanding, thoughtful

反対語： insensitive, inconsiderate

よく使う表現： sensitive to someone, sensitive approach, sensitive teacher

慎重に扱うべき、デリケートな

扱いを誤ると重大な問題が起こるため、注意が必要である。

やさしい英語で： Needing careful handling because mistakes could cause serious problems.

• Keep this sensitive information private.
• The talks have reached a sensitive stage.
• Access to sensitive areas is strictly controlled.

類義語： delicate

よく使う表現： sensitive information, sensitive data, sensitive issue

傷つきやすい、繊細な

人の言葉や行動で、気持ちが傷ついたり動揺したりしやすい。

やさしい英語で： Easily upset or hurt by what people say or do.

• He is a sensitive child.
• She felt sensitive about her mistakes.
• Try not to joke about it; he is very sensitive.

使い方： sensitive about something (He is sensitive about his weight.); sensitive to something (She is very sensitive to criticism.)

類義語： touchy, thin-skinned

反対語： thick-skinned, insensitive

よく使う表現： sensitive person, sensitive about something, overly sensitive

デリケートな、扱いにくい

話題にすると、人を傷つけたり怒らせたりするおそれがある。

やさしい英語で： Likely to upset, offend, or hurt people when discussed.

• Religion can be a sensitive topic.
• She avoided sensitive questions about his family.
• They discussed the sensitive subject of divorce carefully.

類義語： delicate, touchy

よく使う表現： sensitive topic, sensitive subject, sensitive question