鈍感(どんかん)

どんかん
na-adjective, noun
insensitive; dull; thick-skinned
1. insensitive; dull; thick-skinned
Lacking sensitivity to subtle cues, feelings, or changes. Can describe being unaware of others' emotions or not picking up on social signals.
彼(かれ)は鈍感(どんかん)だから、彼女(かのじょ)の気持(きも)ちに気(き)づかない。
He's insensitive, so he doesn't notice her feelings.
痛(いた)みに鈍感(どんかん)な人(ひと)もいる。
There are people who are insensitive to pain.
あなたはもう少(すこ)し鈍感(どんかん)になったほうがいいよ。気(き)にしすぎ。
You should be a little more thick-skinned. You worry too much.

USAGE:

Used to describe someone who doesn't pick up on subtle cues, whether emotional, social, or physical.

  • 鈍感(どんかん)な人(ひと) (an insensitive person)
  • 空気(くうき)に鈍感(どんかん) (oblivious to the atmosphere)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 鈍感(どんかん)になる (to become insensitive)
  • 鈍感(どんかん)力(りょく) (the power of being thick-skinned - a positive spin)

NOTE ON 鈍感(どんかん)力(りょく):
This term gained popularity from a 2007 bestselling book by 渡辺(わたなべ)淳一(じゅんいち). It presents being 鈍感(どんかん) positively as a survival skill—not overthinking or being overly sensitive to criticism.

CONTRAST:

  • 鈍感(どんかん) ↔ 敏感(びんかん) (insensitive ↔ sensitive)
  • 鈍感(どんかん) ↔ 繊細(せんさい) (dull ↔ delicate/sensitive)

Related Words

Antonym: 敏感(びんかん) (sensitive)
general
Added 2026.1.18 12:51 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06500/06640_donkan