1.
cold sweat
Sweat caused by fear, nervousness, or a close call rather than heat or exertion.
冷や汗をかいた。
I broke into a cold sweat.
彼のスピーチを聞いて冷や汗が出た。
Listening to his speech made me break out in a cold sweat.
車がすぐそばを通り過ぎて、冷や汗が止まらなかった。
A car passed right by me and I couldn't stop the cold sweat.
冷や汗 is a cold sweat caused by fear, anxiety, or a close call — never by physical heat or exertion. Unlike 汗 alone, it always implies a psychological trigger.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 冷や汗をかく: to break into a cold sweat
- 冷や汗が出る: cold sweat comes out
- 冷や汗が止まらない: can't stop the cold sweat
TYPICAL SITUATIONS:
- Narrowly avoiding danger (危ない場面)
- Watching someone make a risky mistake
- Feeling nervous during a presentation or test
- Realizing a serious error
ETYMOLOGY:
Combines 冷やっとする (to feel a chill) with 汗 (sweat).