Translation guide
The process of becoming less sensitive or reactive to something, whether physically, emotionally, or psychologically. This guide covers how to express this concept in Japanese across different contexts.
Becoming less emotionally reactive to a stimulus through repeated exposure, often in therapeutic or media contexts.
The standard psychological term for desensitization, used in therapy (e.g., systematic desensitization).
系統的脱感作法は恐怖症の治療に用いられる。
Systematic desensitization is used to treat phobias.
Literally 'getting used to', this is a common way to express becoming desensitized in everyday language.
暴力的な映像に慣れてしまった。
I've become desensitized to violent images.
Means 'senses become numb/paralyzed', often used for emotional numbing or desensitization to shocking content.
毎日ニュースで悲惨な事件を見ていると、感覚が麻痺してくる。
Watching tragic incidents on the news every day makes you desensitized.
Means 'to become insensitive/thick-skinned', can imply a negative desensitization to others' feelings.
彼は批判に鈍感になった。
He became desensitized to criticism.
Reducing physical sensitivity, such as in allergy treatments or nerve responses.
Medical term for desensitization therapy, especially for allergies (allergen immunotherapy).
スギ花粉症に対する減感作療法を受けている。
I'm receiving desensitization therapy for cedar pollen allergy.
Means 'to build tolerance', used for both physiological and pharmacological contexts.
薬を長期間使っていると耐性ができて効果が薄れることがある。
Long-term use of medication can lead to desensitization and reduced effectiveness.
Literally 'senses become dull', used for physical desensitization like reduced sensitivity to pain or touch.
寒さで指の感覚が鈍った。
My fingers became desensitized from the cold.
Becoming less sensitive to social issues, violence, or norms due to overexposure.
As above, very common for social desensitization.
SNSでの誹謗中傷に感覚が麻痺している人が多い。
Many people are desensitized to online harassment.
Casual phrase meaning 'to become completely accustomed to', often with a negative nuance of desensitization.
都会の騒音にはもう慣れっこになった。
I've become desensitized to the noise of the city.
脱感作 (datsukansa) is the general psychological term, while 減感作 (genkansa) is specifically medical, often for allergy treatments. In everyday conversation, phrases like 慣れ (nare) or 感覚が麻痺する (kankaku ga mahi suru) are more natural.
The English word 'desensitization' is often translated directly as 脱感作, but this sounds technical. In casual contexts, use simpler expressions like 慣れ or 麻痺.