die  Empfindlichkeit

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛmpfɪntlɪçkaɪ̯t/

🤔 What does "die Empfindlichkeit" mean?

Die Empfindlichkeit is a feminine noun referring to various types of sensitivity. It has several nuances:

• Emotional sensitivity/touchiness: The tendency to react strongly or quickly to emotional stimuli, sometimes negatively connotated as oversensitivity or being easily offended. Example: Seine plötzliche Empfindlichkeit überraschte alle. (His sudden touchiness surprised everyone.)
• Physical sensitivity/susceptibility: The quality of reacting strongly to physical stimuli (like touch, cold, light) or being susceptible to pain, irritation, or damage. Example: Die Empfindlichkeit der Haut gegenüber Sonnenlicht. (The sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.)
• Technical sensitivity: The ability of a measuring instrument or technical device to respond to small changes or low levels of a measured quantity. Example: Die hohe Empfindlichkeit des Mikrofons. (The high sensitivity of the microphone.)

🚨 It's important to consider the context to understand the exact meaning. Sometimes it can carry negative connotations like “oversensitivity” or “petulance”, but often it's neutral or positive, meaning “sensitivity” or “delicacy”.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar in Detail: Die Empfindlichkeit

"Empfindlichkeit" is a feminine noun. The article is die. Nouns ending in -keit are almost always feminine in German.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Note: The plural "Empfindlichkeiten" is used when referring to specific types or instances of sensitivity, often in medical or psychological contexts (e.g., food intolerances as 'Empfindlichkeiten').

Example Sentences

• Ihre Empfindlichkeit gegenüber Kritik machte die Zusammenarbeit schwierig. (Her sensitivity/touchiness towards criticism made cooperation difficult.)
• Die Kälte führte zu einer schmerzhaften Empfindlichkeit in seinen Fingern. (The cold led to a painful sensitivity in his fingers.)
• Wir müssen die Empfindlichkeit des Sensors justieren. (We need to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor.)
• Manche Menschen leiden unter verschiedenen Empfindlichkeiten gegenüber Geräuschen. (Some people suffer from various sensitivities to sounds.)

🗣️ How to Use "Empfindlichkeit"?

"Empfindlichkeit" is a versatile word whose usage heavily depends on the context:

• In everyday life: Often used for emotional reactions. It can be positive (empathy, tact) or negative (oversensitivity, touchiness). Example: „Zeig doch nicht immer gleich so eine Empfindlichkeit!“ (Don't always show such touchiness immediately!)
• In medicine/biology: Refers to the reaction of the body or organs to stimuli, pain, or substances. Example: „Die Empfindlichkeit auf das Medikament muss getestet werden.“ (The sensitivity to the medication must be tested.) Often used in the context of allergies or intolerances.
• In technology: Describes the responsiveness of devices or materials to external influences. Example: „Die Empfindlichkeit des Messgeräts ist sehr hoch.“ (The sensitivity of the measuring device is very high.)

Distinction from similar words:

• Sensibilität: Often used synonymously, but sometimes carries a more positive connotation (finesse, tactfulness) than Empfindlichkeit, which can also mean irritability.
• Feinfühligkeit: Emphasizes delicate, subtle perception and reaction, mostly in the social/emotional sphere.
• Anfälligkeit: Emphasizes the tendency to get sick or be damaged (susceptibility).
• Reizbarkeit: Emphasizes a negative, easily annoyed or irritated reaction (irritability).

⚠️ Be cautious when using it in an emotional context, as it can easily be misunderstood as an accusation of “oversensitivity”.

💡 Memory Aids for Empfindlichkeit

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -keit are (almost always) feminine. Think of other feminine -keit words like die Fähigkeit (ability), die Möglichkeit (possibility), die Sauberkeit (cleanliness)... and therefore, die Empfindlichkeit. The feminine suffix -keit helps remember die.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you can easily find (emp-find-lich) things – whether it's a feeling, pain, or a signal. This ability to quickly 'find' or perceive something is Empfindlichkeit (sensitivity). Think of it like having sensitive emotional or physical 'finders'.

Alternatively, picture a very fine antenna (in German: die Antenne - feminine!) that picks up even weak signals. That's like die Empfindlichkeit – it perceives a lot.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but different words:

• Empfindung: The sensation or perception itself (e.g., eine Kälteempfindung - a feeling of cold), not the quality of being sensitive.
• Empathie: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Often related to Empfindlichkeit, but not the same.

😄 A Little Joke

German:

Fragt der Arzt den Mime: „Haben Sie eine besondere Empfindlichkeit?“

Der Mime nickt stumm und zieht eine Grimasse, als hätte er auf eine Zitrone gebissen.

Arzt: „Gegenüber Zitrusfrüchten?“

Der Mime schüttelt den Kopf und deutet auf das grelle Praxislicht.

English Translation:

The doctor asks the mime: "Do you have a particular sensitivity?"

The mime nods silently and makes a face as if he just bit into a lemon.

Doctor: "To citrus fruits?"

The mime shakes his head and points to the bright light in the doctor's office.

✍️ Poem about Empfindlichkeit

German:

Die Welt ist laut, die Welt ist grell,
Manch eine Seele spürt es schnell.
Ein leises Wort, ein harter Blick,
Bringt sie sogleich aus dem Geschick.

Doch ist's nicht Schwäche, sei dir klar,
Diese Empfindlichkeit, so wunderbar.
Sie fühlt die Freude, tief und rein,
Und lässt die Schönheit größer sein.

English Translation:

The world is loud, the world is bright,
Some souls perceive with rapid sight.
A quiet word, a harsh glance cast,
Can knock them off their path so fast.

But know it's not a weakness mere,
This sensitivity, held so dear.
It feels the joy, profound and true,
And makes the beauty shine anew.

🧩 Riddle

German:

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch kann gekränkt sein.
Ich habe keine Haut, doch fühl' den Sonnenschein (oder Schmerz).
Ein Messgerät braucht mich, um fein zu justieren.
Manchmal bin ich Stärke, manchmal muss man mich kurieren.

Was bin ich? ... Die Empfindlichkeit

English Translation:

I have no mouth, but can be offended.
I have no skin, yet feel the sunshine (or pain).
A measuring device needs me for fine adjustment.
Sometimes I am strength, sometimes I need treatment.

What am I? ... Sensitivity (die Empfindlichkeit)

📎 Further Information

Word Composition:

The word "Empfindlichkeit" is derived from the adjective empfindlich (sensitive). This, in turn, comes from the verb empfinden (to feel, perceive). The ending -keit is a suffix used to form nouns from adjectives, describing a quality or state (like in Fröhlichkeit from fröhlich - happiness from happy, Ehrlichkeit from ehrlich - honesty from honest).

Cultural Aspects:

The extent to which sensitivity (Empfindlichkeit) is expressed or valued can vary culturally. In some contexts, it's seen as a strength and a sign of empathy, while in others, it might be viewed more as a weakness or lack of resilience.