neurotic
neurotic — 形容詞
1. A neurotic person experiences strong, unreasonable feelings of worry, fear, or n
神經質的
因焦慮而表現出緊張、反常行為的
A neurotic person experiences strong, unreasonable feelings of worry, fear, or nervousness — either because of a diagnosed mental health condition known as neurosis, or simply as a habit of overthinking ordinary everyday matters.
Christopher's neurotic habits included checking the front door lock four times before bed.
Christopher 的神經質習慣包括睡前檢查大門門鎖四次。
attributive use describing a person's habitual worry
Adaeze admits she can be neurotic about keeping every item on her desk perfectly aligned.
Adaeze 承認自己對於書桌上每件物品都要排得整整齊齊這件事，可以說是有點神經質。
predicative: be neurotic about [something]
The novel's main character is a neurotic artist who cannot finish a single painting.
小說中的主角是一位神經質的藝術家，連一幅畫都無法完成。
Zayd's neurotic need for cleanliness means he showers twice every evening.
Zayd 對清潔的神經質需求讓他每晚要洗兩次澡。
- anxious
broader and less clinical; can describe a temporary mood, not just a personality trait
- obsessive
focuses on compulsive attention to detail or repeated thoughts, a common feature of neurotic behaviour
- high-strung
informal, mostly American English; describes someone easily upset or tense
- tense
emphasises physical and emotional tightness; less clinical and less severe
文法句型
neurotic + noun (attributive)
be + neurotic
be + neurotic + about + noun/gerund
用法筆記
In casual conversation, 'neurotic' is often used to describe someone who worries excessively about minor things — it does not necessarily imply a diagnosed mental illness. The clinical meaning refers specifically to neurosis, a condition in which a person experiences persistent anxiety while remaining in touch with reality (unlike psychosis).
常見錯誤
neurotic — 名詞
1. A neurotic is a person who constantly experiences unreasonable worry, fear, or n
神經質的人
容易過度焦慮、擔憂的人
A neurotic is a person who constantly experiences unreasonable worry, fear, or nervousness — either as the result of a diagnosed condition (neurosis) or as a habitual personality trait of overreacting to everyday situations.
Henrik's friends call him a neurotic for phoning his mother three times daily.
Henrik 的朋友都說他是個神經質的人，因為他每天打三次電話給媽媽。
countable noun naming a person with habitual anxiety
The therapist explained that not every worrier is technically a neurotic in medical terms.
治療師解釋說，並不是每個愛擔心的人在醫學上都算是神經質患者。
Diya had always been a bit of a neurotic, but yoga helped her feel steadier.
Diya 向來有點神經質，但規律的瑜珈練習幫助她比以前穩定許多。
The night-shift nurse was no neurotic; she checked each monitor twice out of caution.
那位夜班護士並不是神經質，她只是出於謹慎而檢查每位病人的監視器兩次。
- worrywart
informal, less clinical; describes someone who worries habitually about small things
- hypochondriac
specific to worrying about one's health; narrower than neurotic
- realist
someone who sees things as they are without excess worry; not a direct clinical opposite but a character contrast
文法句型
a + neurotic
the + neurotic(s) (plural generic)
用法筆記
Using 'neurotic' as a noun can sound dismissive or unkind in everyday speech. In clinical or professional contexts it is more neutral. Learners should be careful not to use it as a casual insult.