squeamish / timid
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squeamish
Oversensitive or easily upset, especially with regard to pain, dirt, or inconvenience. Describes a person who is quickly disgusted or complains easily.
Beim Zelten darf man nicht so zimperlich sein, wenn mal ein Insekt im Zelt ist.
When camping, you can't be so squeamish if there happens to be an insect in the tent.
In the meaning 'überempfindlich' (oversensitive), 'zimperlich' (squeamish) is often used in advice or commands, usually in the negative. A typical command is: 'Sei nicht so zimperlich!' (Don't be so squeamish!)
Du musst die Wunde säubern, jetzt sei doch nicht so zimperlich!
You have to clean the wound—now don't be so squeamish!
In the meaning 'zögerlich' (hesitant), the word is very often used in the negative. 'Nicht zimperlich sein' then means to act decisively, harshly, or ruthlessly.
Bei der Umstrukturierung war das neue Management nicht gerade zimperlich und hat viele Leute entlassen.
During the restructuring, the new management was not exactly timid and laid off a lot of people.
The phrase 'nicht zimperlich mit jemandem/etwas umgehen' (not to handle someone/something timidly) is very common. It describes a harsh or firm approach toward a person or thing.
Der Kritiker ging in seiner Rezension nicht zimperlich mit dem neuen Film um.
The critic was not timid in his review of the new film.
sensitive
'empfindlich' and 'zimperlich' can both describe people who react strongly to unpleasant things. 'empfindlich' is more neutral and means that someone is easily hurt, offended, or physically sensitive. 'zimperlich' often sounds more critical: it means that someone is overly sensitive, easily disgusted, complains quickly, or cannot put up with much. The words can be confused because they occur in similar situations. If you simply want to say that someone reacts easily, 'empfindlich' fits. If it sounds like a criticism, 'zimperlich' often fits.
Beim Camping war Tom nicht zimperlich und schlief sogar auf dem harten Boden.
Tom was not squeamish while camping and even slept on the hard ground.
Meine Nachbarin ist empfindlich, wenn man ihre Kinder kritisiert.
My neighbor is sensitive when people criticize her children.