冷(ひ)や汗(あせ)

冷(ひ)や汗(あせ) is a cold sweat caused by fear, anxiety, or a close call — never by physical heat or exertion. Unlike 汗(あせ) alone, it always implies a psychological trigger.

Common expressions

• 冷(ひ)や汗(あせ)をかく: to break into a cold sweat
• 冷(ひ)や汗(あせ)が出(で)る: cold sweat comes out
• 冷(ひ)や汗(あせ)が止(と)まらない: can't stop the cold sweat

Typical situations

• Narrowly avoiding danger (危(あぶ)ない場面(ばめん))
• Watching someone make a risky mistake
• Feeling nervous during a presentation or test
• Realizing a serious error

Etymology

Combines 冷(ひ)やっとする (to feel a chill) with 汗(あせ) (sweat).