känsliga

Känsliga is the plural form of the Swedish adjective känslig, meaning sensitive. It can describe people who are emotionally affected or easily hurt, as well as things that require care because they are fragile, private, or delicate.

In usage, känsliga is typically used with plural nouns, for example: känsliga uppgifter (sensitive information), känsliga frågor (delicate questions), or känsliga vävnader (delicate tissues). The related singular neuter form is känsligt, used with neuter nouns such as ett känsligt ämne (a delicate or sensitive topic).

Känsliga may also describe people: en känslig person or känsliga personer. The sense often connotes vulnerability or heightened emotional responsiveness, but can also refer to a cautious or sensitive disposition in social situations.

Etymology and form: the word derives from känsla (feeling) and the verb känna (to feel); the form reflects standard Swedish adjective inflection for plural nouns. In Swedish, the distinction between emotional sensitivity and delicacy is often expressed with different phrases, such as känslig vs. delikat eller känsligt ämne, depending on the context.

See also: känslig, delikat, sårbar.