1.
reflexes; reaction speed
The ability to respond quickly and involuntarily to stimuli. Used both in medical and everyday contexts.
反射神経がいい。
To have good reflexes.
年を取ると反射神経が鈍くなる。
As you age, your reflexes become slower.
あのゴールキーパーは反射神経が抜群で、どんなシュートにも素早く反応する。
That goalkeeper has outstanding reflexes and reacts quickly to any shot.
A compound of 反射 (reflex, reflection) and 神経 (nerves). In everyday Japanese, this term is used loosely to mean reaction speed or quick reflexes, especially in sports and driving. In medical contexts, it refers specifically to the reflex arc of the nervous system.
The expression 反射神経がいい/わるい (good/bad reflexes) is extremely common in daily conversation.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 反射神経がいい: to have good reflexes
- 反射神経が鈍い: to have slow reflexes
- 反射神経を鍛える: to train one's reflexes
- 反射神経が求められる: reflexes are required
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 反応速度: reaction speed — more technical, measures actual response time
- 運動神経: motor skills, athletic ability — broader term for physical coordination
- 動体視力: dynamic visual acuity — the ability to track moving objects