神経(しんけい)

しんけい
noun
nerve, sensitivity
1. nerve
Fibers in the body that transmit signals between the brain and other parts of the body.
神経(しんけい)が痛(いた)む。
My nerve hurts.
歯(は)の神経(しんけい)を抜(ぬ)いた。
I had the nerve in my tooth removed.
自律(じりつ)神経(しんけい)のバランスが崩(くず)れると体調(たいちょう)を崩(くず)しやすい。
When the autonomic nervous system becomes unbalanced, it's easy to feel unwell.
2. nerves, sensitivity, temperament
One's mental state, sensitivity to things, or disposition.
彼(かれ)は神経(しんけい)が細(こま)かい。
He is very sensitive / pays attention to details.
あの音(おと)は神経(しんけい)にさわる。
That sound gets on my nerves.
大勢(おおぜい)の前(まえ)で話(はな)すと神経(しんけい)が高(たか)ぶる。
I get nervous when speaking in front of many people.

神経(しんけい) is used for both physical nerves and psychological sensitivity.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 神経(しんけい)が細(こま)かい (sensitive, detail-oriented)
  • 神経(しんけい)が太(ふと)い (thick-skinned, insensitive - often negative)
  • 神経(しんけい)を使(つか)う (to be nervous, to pay careful attention)
  • 神経(しんけい)にさわる (to get on one's nerves)
  • 神経(しんけい)が高(たか)ぶる (nerves are on edge)

COMPOUNDS:

general
Added 2026.1.12 9:54 · Revised 2026.5.25 4:07
03000/03257_shinkei