känslig

Känslig is a Swedish adjective that has several closely related senses. It most often describes a person who is easily affected by feelings or criticism, i.e., emotionally responsive or vulnerable. It can also denote physical sensitivity to stimuli, such as skin, light, or noise.

In everyday language, känslig is used in statements like "hon är känslig för kritik" or "hon har känslig hud." It can describe topics or information as requiring tact or confidentiality, as in "Det är ett känsligt ämne" or "känslig information." The term also appears in technical contexts to denote heightened responsiveness in sensory or nervous systems, such as "känslighet" or "nervkänslighet," and in phrases that evoke delicacy, like "ömtålig" as a near-synonym.

The word is formed from "känsla" (feeling, sense) plus the suffix -lig. The related noun "känslighet" means sensitivity; the adverbial form is "känsligt" in phrases that describe how something is handled or perceived.

In usage, the nuance depends on context: "känslig" for people and personal matters emphasizes vulnerability or tact; "känslig" for objects or situations stresses delicate handling or potential harm. The comparative form is "mer känslig" or "känsligare," and the superlative "mest känslig" or "känsligast."