神経
Meanings
1
Anatomical term for the physical nerve fibers and the nervous system.
I had treatment to remove the nerve from my tooth.
2
nerves; sensitivity; mental strain
Refers to mental or emotional sensitivity, often in contexts of stress, worry, or being easily affected by things. Common in phrases like 神経を使う (to be nerve-racking) and 神経が細かい (to be sensitive).
He often worries about small details.
That person is really thick-skinned, isn't he?
Usage patterns
- 神経を尖らせるto become edgy or tense
Everyone gets on edge before an exam.
- 神経をすり減らすto wear down one's nerves; to be mentally exhausted
Handling complaints every day is wearing my nerves thin.
- 神経が太いto have thick nerves; to be unfazed or thick-skinned
He has thick nerves, so small things don't rattle him.
- 〈事〉に神経を集中させるto focus one's full attention on something
While driving, you need to focus all your attention on the road ahead.