delicate / picky
Loading your saved state.
delicate
Describing a matter, topic, or situation that is difficult, delicate, or sensitive, where one can easily make mistakes or hurt someone.
Die Frage nach seinem Gehalt war eine heikle Angelegenheit.
The question about his salary was a delicate matter.
The meaning of 'heikel' (delicate / picky) depends on what it describes. If it refers to a thing (e.g., topic, question), it means 'schwierig' (difficult) or 'sensibel' (sensitive). If it refers to a person, it means 'wählerisch' (picky) or 'anspruchsvoll' (demanding).
Das ist ein sehr heikles Thema, darüber sprechen wir besser nicht.
That is a very delicate topic; we'd better not talk about it.
When it is about difficult matters, 'heikel' (delicate) is often combined with nouns such as 'Thema' (topic), 'Frage' (question), 'Situation' (situation), 'Mission' (mission), or 'Angelegenheit' (matter).
Der Diplomat befand sich in einer heiklen Mission.
The diplomat was on a delicate mission.
When a person is described as 'heikel' (picky), it usually refers to their eating habits. A typical formulation is 'beim Essen heikel sein' (to be picky about food).
Sei nicht so heikel und probier das Gemüse doch mal!
Don't be so picky and just try the vegetables!
difficult
'schwierig' and 'heikel' can both describe a situation in which you have to be careful. 'schwierig' is more general: a task, situation, or person is not easy to deal with. 'heikel' is especially suitable when a topic is sensitive and you could easily hurt someone, make a mistake, or cause trouble. With people, 'heikel' can also mean that someone is very picky, especially about food. Learners may confuse the words because delicate situations are often difficult too. But 'heikel' emphasizes the risk of doing something wrong; 'schwierig' emphasizes the difficulty itself.
Für das Gespräch mit den Eltern wählt du besser ein heikles Thema sehr vorsichtig.
For the conversation with the parents, you should handle a delicate topic very carefully.
Die Ärztin sagt, dass die Behandlung schwierig wird und Zeit braucht.
The doctor says that the treatment will be difficult and will take time.