汗(あせ)をかく

あせをかく
expression
to sweat; to perspire
body-partaction
1. to sweat; to perspire
The standard expression for sweating physically, whether from heat, exercise, or nervousness.
暑(あつ)くて汗(あせ)をかいた。
I sweated because it was hot.
運動(うんどう)した後(あと)は気持(きも)ちよく汗(あせ)をかける。
After exercising, you can work up a refreshing sweat.
緊張(きんちょう)して手(て)に汗(あせ)をかいていた。
I was so nervous that my palms were sweating.
2. to work hard; to put in effort
Figuratively, to exert oneself or work hard at something, implying hands-on labor rather than directing from above.
自分(じぶん)で汗(あせ)をかかないと成長(せいちょう)できない。
You can't grow unless you put in the effort yourself.
上(うえ)に立(た)つ人(ひと)も現場(げんば)で汗(あせ)をかくべきだ。
Leaders should also get their hands dirty on the ground.
彼(かれ)は若(わか)い頃(ころ)から人(ひと)の倍(ばい)汗(あせ)をかいて働(はたら)いてきた。
He has worked twice as hard as others since he was young.

Usage

The verb かく here is a special usage meaning "to produce" (sweat). Note that this かく is written in hiragana, not with the kanji 書(か)く or 掻(か)く.

Forms

  • 冷(ひ)や汗(あせ)をかく: to break out in a cold sweat (from fear or a close call)
  • 手(て)に汗(あせ)をかく: to have sweaty palms (from nervousness or excitement)
  • 脂汗(あぶらあせ)をかく: to break out in a greasy sweat (from pain or extreme stress)

Common collocations

  • びっしょり汗(あせ)をかく (to be drenched in sweat)
  • 大量(たいりょう)に汗(あせ)をかく (to sweat profusely)
  • いい汗(あせ)をかく (to work up a good sweat)

Related Words

Related: 発汗(はっかん) (sweating, perspiration)
Related: 汗(あせ)っかき (heavy sweater)
Compare: 汗(あせ)ばむ (to become sweaty)
general
Added 2026.3.15 11:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
16500/16925_asewokaku