sensitive / explosive
Loading your saved state.
sensitive
Describes a topic or piece of information that is delicate, politically or socially sensitive, and may lead to conflict or public attention.
Der Journalist veröffentlichte brisante Dokumente, die einen Skandal auslösten.
The journalist published sensitive documents that triggered a scandal.
The word comes from the French verb 'briser' (to break). This origin helps you understand both meanings: a piece of information can 'bring about' a scandal, and an explosive can 'break' materials apart.
Die Enthüllungen waren politisch extrem brisant.
The revelations were extremely politically sensitive.
You can recognize the meaning of 'brisant' (sensitive / explosive) from the context. If it is about politics, society, or information, it means 'sensitive' or 'delicate'. If it is about chemistry, the military, or explosives, it means 'highly explosive'.
Das ist ein sehr brisantes Thema, darüber sollten wir nicht öffentlich sprechen.
That is a very sensitive topic; we shouldn't talk about it publicly.
In the meaning 'heikel' (sensitive/delicate), 'brisant' is often used with abstract nouns that convey information. Typical examples are 'ein brisantes Thema' (a sensitive topic), 'brisante Details' (sensitive details), or 'eine brisante Frage' (a sensitive question).
In dem Interview kamen einige brisante Details ans Licht.
Some sensitive details came to light in the interview.
The meaning 'hochexplosiv' (highly explosive) is almost exclusively technical language. In everyday life, you will almost always encounter the meaning 'heikel' (sensitive/delicate) or 'politisch brisant' (politically sensitive).
Der Kampfmittelräumdienst musste einen brisanten Sprengkörper entschärfen.
The bomb disposal unit had to defuse a highly explosive device.
problematic
'problematisch' and 'brisant' can both fit topics where there may be difficulties or conflicts. 'Problematisch' is broader and more neutral: something is hard to solve, causes problems, or is concerning. 'Brisant' is used more for topics, information, or decisions that may attract public attention and are politically or socially sensitive. A broken printer is 'problematisch', but not 'brisant'. A secret report about mistakes made by a public authority can be 'brisant'. So 'brisant' emphasizes the possible effect on the outside world.
Vor dem Termin veröffentlichte die Zeitung brisante Informationen über die Behörde.
Before the appointment, the newspaper published sensitive information about the public authority.
Im Büro ist die neue Regel problematisch, weil niemand genau weiß, wie sie gelten soll.
In the office, the new rule is problematic because no one knows exactly how it is supposed to apply.