‘娇气’ (jiāo qì) is an adjective describing someone who is overly sensitive, easily upset by discomfort or difficulty, and accustomed to special treatment—often due to being overindulged, especially in childhood. The character 娇 means 'delicate,' 'spoiled,' or 'coquettish,' suggesting fragility or pampered behavior; 气 means 'spirit' or 'temperament,' so together they convey a temperament marked by delicacy and low tolerance for hardship.

This word carries a mild negative connotation and is commonly used to describe people—especially children, young women, or pets—who react strongly to minor inconveniences like heat, cold, tiredness, or unfamiliar food. It’s often heard in parental or teasing contexts ('Don’t be so 娇气!') and can imply immaturity or lack of resilience. While occasionally applied to animals (e.g., a finicky cat), its primary domain is human emotional or behavioral disposition—not physical illness or clinical sensitivity.