神経質(しんけいしつ)

しんけいしつ
na-adjective, noun
nervous; sensitive; high-strung
1. nervous; sensitive
Having a disposition that is easily affected by small things or prone to worry.
神経質(しんけいしつ)な人(ひと)だ。
They're a nervous person.
神経質(しんけいしつ)になりすぎないでください。
Please don't be too high-strung about it.
彼(かれ)は神経質(しんけいしつ)で、小(ちい)さなことでも気(き)にする。
He's nervous and worries about even small things.
2. fussy; particular
Being overly concerned about details or small matters.
音(おと)に神経質(しんけいしつ)だ。
I'm sensitive about noise.
彼女(かのじょ)は清潔(せいけつ)さについて神経質(しんけいしつ)だ。
She's very particular about cleanliness.
時間(じかん)に神経質(しんけいしつ)な上司(じょうし)なので、遅刻(ちこく)は絶対(ぜったい)に許(ゆる)されない。
My boss is fussy about time, so being late is absolutely not tolerated.

ETYMOLOGY:
神経(しんけい) (nerves) + 質(しつ) (nature, quality)

USAGE:
Can be used neutrally to describe someone sensitive, or negatively to suggest someone is overly anxious or fussy.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 神経質(しんけいしつ)な人(ひと) - a nervous/sensitive person
  • 神経質(しんけいしつ)になる - to become nervous/fussy
  • 〜について神経質(しんけいしつ)だ - to be particular about ~

RELATED:

  • 繊細(せんさい) - delicate, sensitive (often positive)
  • 臆病(おくびょう) - timid, cowardly
  • 心配性(しんぱいしょう) - worrywart
  • ナーバス - nervous (loanword)

Related Words

Related: 繊細(せんさい) (delicate)
Related: 臆病(おくびょう) (timid)
Antonym: おおらか (broad-minded)
Antonym: 無神経(むしんけい) (insensitive)
general
Added 2026.1.20 21:57 · Revised 2026.4.20 16:13
07500/07606_shinkeishitsu