sensitivity
Loading your saved state.
sensitivity
The ability to perceive the feelings, moods, and needs of other people and to respond to them with understanding; empathy.
Im Umgang mit den Kindern zeigte die Erzieherin große Sensibilität.
In dealing with the children, the preschool teacher showed great sensitivity.
The noun 'Sensibilität' (sensitivity) is derived from the adjective 'sensibel' (sensitive). The ending '-ität' is often used in German to form abstract nouns from adjectives that describe a quality.
Seine Sensibilität für die Kunst ist bewundernswert.
His sensitivity to art is admirable.
To express what the sensitivity relates to, you often use the preposition 'für' (for) followed by the accusative. This applies especially to abstract topics or groups of people.
Man braucht eine hohe Sensibilität für die Bedürfnisse der Patienten.
You need a high level of sensitivity to the needs of patients.
The context makes clear which meaning is intended. If it is about dealing with people, it means empathy. If it refers to the body, it is about sensitivity to stimuli. With devices, it means technical measurement sensitivity.
Ein guter Diplomat besitzt viel Sensibilität.
A good diplomat has a lot of sensitivity.
In the sense of empathy, 'Sensibilität' (sensitivity) is often combined with the verbs 'zeigen' (to show), 'beweisen' (to demonstrate), or 'besitzen' (to possess). You can also react to something 'mit Sensibilität' (with sensitivity).
Er hat in dieser schwierigen Situation große Sensibilität bewiesen.
He showed great sensitivity in this difficult situation.
When talking about physical sensory ability, the preposition 'in' with the dative is often used to name the affected body part.
Nach der Operation hatte er eine verminderte Sensibilität im linken Fuß.
After the operation, he had reduced sensitivity in his left foot.
feeling / sense
'das Gefühl' and 'die Sensibilität' both have to do with perception and inner experience. 'Gefühl' usually means a specific emotion, for example joy or fear, or also a physical sensation. 'Sensibilität' describes more of a quality or ability: someone notices well how others feel, or reacts sensitively themselves. In medical contexts, 'Sensibilität' can also mean the body's physical reaction to stimuli. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with feeling or sensing. As a practical rule: you have a feeling in a particular situation; sensitivity is more of a lasting way of perceiving things finely or sensitively.
Für die Arbeit mit kranken Menschen braucht man viel Sensibilität.
Working with sick people requires a lot of sensitivity.
Nach dem Gespräch hatte sie ein gutes Gefühl.
After the conversation, she had a good feeling.