delicate / picky
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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.
picky
Describing a person who is very selective, demanding, and hard to satisfy, especially with regard to food.
Als Kind war ich beim Essen extrem heikel und mochte kaum Gemüse.
As a child, I was extremely picky about food and hardly liked any vegetables.
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
A situation involving many problems can be schwierig or heikel. Schwierig emphasizes that the situation can only be handled with effort, while heikel additionally emphasizes a sensitive matter or the risk of mistakes and hurt feelings. Use heikel when especially careful handling is necessary.
Das heikle Gespräch im Team verlangte viel Taktgefühl, damit sich niemand verletzt fühlte.
The delicate conversation within the team required a great deal of tact so that no one felt hurt.
Die schwierige Situation im Team ließ sich erst nach mehreren Gesprächen lösen.
The difficult situation within the team was only resolved after several discussions.
