oversensitivity
oversensitivity — 名詞
1. a physical state in which the body has an unusually strong reaction to a substan
過敏
身體對物質或刺激的異常強烈反應
a physical state in which the body has an unusually strong reaction to a substance, light, temperature, or other outside factor that normally does not affect people
Kemi's oversensitivity to sunlight means she cannot stay outdoors for more than ten minutes.
Kemi 對陽光過敏，導致她無法在戶外待超過十分鐘。
oversensitivity + to + [trigger substance]
The doctor noted the patient's oversensitivity to penicillin in her medical chart.
醫師在病歷上註記了那位病人對盤尼西林過敏。
Min developed an oversensitivity to dust after moving into the old apartment.
Min 搬進老公寓後開始對灰塵產生過敏反應。
Tests confirmed that the child's oversensitivity to dairy products caused severe stomach pain.
檢驗結果證實，這名孩童對乳製品的過敏反應會導致嚴重腹痛。
- hypersensitivity
more clinical and severe; often used in medical diagnoses
- allergy
narrower — refers only to immune-system reactions, not all physical sensitivities
- intolerance
typically used for food or drug reactions; less technical
- resistance
the ability to withstand a substance or stimulus without reaction
文法句型
oversensitivity + to + noun phrase
常見錯誤
2. a tendency to become hurt, offended, or upset by small comments or actions that
過度敏感
容易被小事刺傷或難過的傾向
a tendency to become hurt, offended, or upset by small comments or actions that most people would not mind
Arjun's oversensitivity to criticism made it hard for his manager to give honest feedback.
Arjun 對批評過度敏感，讓他的主管很難給他誠實的意見回饋。
oversensitivity + to + [cause of upset]
Her oversensitivity about her accent kept her from speaking up in class.
她對自己口音的過度敏感讓她不敢在課堂上發言。
The counsellor told the teenager that oversensitivity was getting in the way of her friendships.
輔導老師告訴那名青少年，過度敏感正在影響她的人際關係。
Walid tried to hide his oversensitivity, but everyone could see how quickly his mood changed.
Walid 試圖隱藏自己的過度敏感，但每個人都看得出來他的心情極易受到影響。
- touchiness
informal; suggests a quick, irritable reaction to small things
- thin skin
idiomatic, informal; describes someone who cannot handle even mild criticism
- defensiveness
focuses on reacting by protecting oneself rather than feeling hurt
- resilience
the ability to recover quickly from criticism or setbacks
- thick skin
idiomatic; the ability to handle criticism without getting upset
文法句型
oversensitivity + to/about + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense describes a personality trait or habitual tendency, not a single emotional reaction. To talk about a specific instance of hurt feelings, use sense 3 (HURT FEELINGS) instead.
常見錯誤
3. strong feelings of hurt or offense that someone shows when they react to somethi
敏感情緒
因過度敏感而產生的受傷或難過感受
strong feelings of hurt or offense that someone shows when they react to something that was not intended to be unkind
Maja's oversensitivity showed when she burst into tears over a simple joke.
Maja 的敏感情緒顯露無遺，她因為一個無傷大雅的玩笑就放聲大哭。
possessive + oversensitivity + showed when…
A comment about a typo triggered Zuri's oversensitivity, and she avoided her colleague all afternoon.
有人提到 Zuri 報告裡有個錯字，她的敏感情緒就被激起來了，整個下午都避著那位同事。
possessive + oversensitivity + specific setting event
Shanti's oversensitivity convinced her that her friends planned the hiking trip just to exclude her.
Shanti 的敏感情緒讓她深信朋友們規劃健行不邀她，就是為了排擠她。
Niran's oversensitivity at the meeting surprised his colleagues, who had meant no offense.
Niran 在會議上表現出的敏感情緒讓同事們很驚訝，他們本來完全沒有冒犯的意思。
- hurt feelings
more neutral and conversational; less technical than 'oversensitivity'
- offense
focuses on the feeling of being insulted rather than general sensitivity
文法句型
possessive + oversensitivity
show/display + oversensitivity
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (EASILY UPSET): sense 2 describes the long-term personality trait, while this sense focuses on the actual display of hurt feelings in a particular situation or across situations.
常見錯誤
oversensitivity — 形容詞
- oversensitivitypositive
- more oversensitivitycomparative
- most oversensitivitysuperlative
1. getting hurt, offended, or upset too easily by things that other people would no
過度敏感的
容易因小事感到受傷或難過的
getting hurt, offended, or upset too easily by things that other people would not find troubling
Liam is an oversensitive child who cries whenever someone raises their voice.
Liam 是個過度敏感的孩子，只要有人提高音量他就會哭。
oversensitive child — describes a personality trait
Don't be so oversensitive — she was just making a harmless comment about the food.
別這麼過度敏感——她只是對那道菜說了句無傷大雅的評語。
imperative: 'don't be so oversensitive'
The actress was known for being oversensitive about reviews of her work.
那位女演員向來以對作品評論過度敏感聞名。
Ramón felt his colleague was being oversensitive about the seating arrangement at the meeting.
Ramón 覺得同事對會議座位安排的反應太過敏感了。
- thin-skinned
informal; suggests a person reacts badly to any criticism
- touchy
informal; emphasises irritation or anger rather than hurt
- defensive
focuses on the behaviour of protecting oneself from criticism
- resilient
able to recover quickly from criticism or difficult situations
- thick-skinned
informal; not easily bothered by criticism
文法句型
be + oversensitive + about/to + noun phrase
常見錯誤
2. reacting more strongly than normal to a drug, chemical, substance, or physical s
過敏性的
對藥物或刺激物反應比常人強烈的
reacting more strongly than normal to a drug, chemical, substance, or physical stimulus, due to a biological difference in the body
Defne's skin is oversensitive to nickel, so she can only wear hypoallergenic jewellery.
Defne 的皮膚對鎳過敏，所以她只能戴低過敏性的飾品。
oversensitive + to + [allergen/trigger]
Some patients become oversensitive to bee stings after their first allergic reaction.
有些患者在第一次過敏反應後會變得對蜜蜂螫傷特別敏感。
Eli discovered he is oversensitive to caffeine — even a single cup of tea keeps him awake all night.
Eli 發現自己對咖啡因過度敏感——即使只喝一杯茶也會讓他整夜睡不著。
Gabriela's dermatologist told her she has oversensitive skin that reacts badly to most perfumed lotions.
Gabriela 的皮膚科醫師告訴她，她的皮膚對多數香味乳液都會產生不良反應，屬於過度敏感的膚質。
- hypersensitive
more clinical; implies a diagnosed medical condition
- allergic
narrower — only for immune-mediated reactions
- susceptible
broader; does not specify the type of reaction
文法句型
oversensitive + to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used in allergy testing, dermatology, and immunology contexts. When used for senses like hearing or smell, it describes a physical sensitivity, not an emotional reaction (compare with sense 1, EASILY OFFENDED).
常見錯誤
3. able to detect or react to extremely small amounts, changes, or differences that
高靈敏度的
能偵測極微量或微小變化的
able to detect or react to extremely small amounts, changes, or differences that standard equipment or normal senses would not register
Kemi used an oversensitive thermometer that could detect changes of one-tenth of a degree.
Kemi 使用了一支高靈敏度的溫度計，可以測出十分之一度的溫度變化。
oversensitive + [measuring device] — technical precision
The security system was so oversensitive that passing cats set off the alarm every night.
那套保全系統的靈敏度太高，路過的貓咪每晚都會觸發警報。
so + oversensitive + that + [unintended result]
Walid's camera has an oversensitive light metre that adjusts for the faintest glow.
Walid 的相機裝有高靈敏度的測光表，連最微弱的光線都能調整曝光。
These oversensitive scales are used in the pharmacy to measure tiny amounts of medicine.
藥房使用這些高靈敏度天平來測量極少量的藥品。
- hypersensitive
can be used for both instruments and biology, but more common in medical fields
- finely tuned
positive connotation; suggests skilful engineering rather than a flaw
- ultrasensitive
technical; emphasises the extreme level of precision
- insensitive
unable to detect differences or changes
- dull
not responsive; registering only large changes
文法句型
oversensitive + to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Unlike the other senses (which describe a problem or flaw), this sense can be neutral or even positive when describing precision instruments. However, it often implies that the device is more sensitive than practical — causing false readings or unnecessary alerts.