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神経が細かい (しんけいがこまかい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, i-adjective
sensitive ; having delicate feelings
Describes a person who is emotionally sensitive, easily affected by small things, or pays attention to subtle details. Often used to characterize someone's personality.
が
細こま
かい
人ひと
に
は
、
この
仕し
事ごと
は
向む
い
て
い
ない
か
も
しれ
ない
。
This job might not suit someone who is sensitive.
Kanji 経 sutra, longitude, pass thru Similar words 神しん 経けい 質しつ 神経質 means 'nervous' or 'high-strung', often with a negative nuance of being overly anxious. 神経が細かい is more neutral and focuses on emotional sensitivity or delicacy.
繊せん 細さい 繊細 means 'delicate' or 'fine' and can describe both people and things. 神経が細かい is specifically about a person's emotional sensitivity.
Etymology The expression combines 神経 (nerves, sensitivity) with 細かい (fine, detailed), literally meaning 'nerves are fine', metaphorically describing a sensitive or delicate disposition.