emocionalmente insensible
/emoθjonalmente insensible/from spelling rules
The English phrase "emotionally numb" is translated into Spanish as emocionalmente insensible.
emocionalmente insensible is used to describe someone who is unable to feel emotions or react emotionally to a situation. It is important to note that in Spanish, the word insensible can sometimes carry a connotation of being unfeeling or callous toward others, whereas in English, "numb" often refers to a personal psychological state of being unable to feel.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb emocionalmente (emotionally) and the adjective insensible (insensitive or lacking sensation).
Which one should you use?
A common alternative way to express being emotionally numb is sentirse emocionalmente vacío (to feel emotionally empty).
How does it change in a sentence?
While the adverb emocionalmente remains unchanged, the adjective insensible is gender-neutral in its spelling, so the phrase remains the same regardless of whether the subject is male or female.
How do you pronounce it?
/emoθjonalmente insensible/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the suffix -mente used in emocionalmente is the direct equivalent of the English suffix '-ly'. It is derived from the Latin word for 'mind', mens.
- While emocionalmente insensible is grammatically correct, a Spanish speaker might instead use the word entumecido to describe a physical numbness that has metaphorically spread to the mind.
- The word insensible can be used to describe a lack of physical sensation, such as a limb that is 'numb' due to cold, not just a psychological state.
Examples in context
- La insensibilidad emocional es una barrera que me impide conectar con mis sentimientos.Emotional numbness is a barrier that prevents me from connecting with my feelings.
- Últimamente me siento anestesiado emocionalmente, como si nada me afectase.Lately, I feel emotionally numb as if nothing affects me.
- Estoy pasando por una etapa en la que me encuentro insensible a nivel emocional.I'm going through a phase where I am emotionally numb.
- Después de la noticia, me siento emocionalmente insensible.After the news, I feel emotionally numb.
- A veces, el estrés te vuelve emocionalmente insensible.Sometimes, stress makes you emotionally numb.
- Ella está emocionalmente insensible ante cualquier problema.She is emotionally numb to any problem.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are talking about a difficult life event.
- DanielNo puedo dejar de llorar por la noticia.I can't stop crying because of the news.
- LucíaYo me siento emocionalmente insensible ahora mismo.I feel emotionally numb right now.
- Daniel¿No sientes ninguna tristeza, Lucía?You don't feel any sadness, Lucía?
- LucíaNo, es como si no pudiera sentir nada.No, it's as if I couldn't feel anything.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
