ひやっと

adverb, onomatopoeia

with a sudden cold sensation; with a startling chill

1. with a sudden unpleasant cold sensation; with a chilling start

Mimetic word describing a sudden, unpleasant cold sensation — touching something unexpectedly cold, stepping onto a cold floor, or feeling a chill of fear. Also used figuratively for the psychological 'chill' of a near-miss or frightening moment.

ひやっとした風(かぜ)が吹(ふ)いた。

A sudden chilly wind blew.

ひやっとした床(ゆか)を素足(すあし)で踏(ふ)んで目(め)が覚(さ)めた。

I woke up after stepping barefoot on the cold floor.

車(くるま)が急(きゅう)に飛(と)び出(だ)してきて、ひやっとした。

A car suddenly jumped out and I got a fright.

Mimetic word (擬態語) for a sudden cold sensation or startled feeling. Used with する to form a predicate: ひやっとする.

Common collocations

ひやっとする: to feel a sudden chill; to get a start (figurative)
ひやっとした感触(かんしょく): a sudden cold touch
ひやっとした空気(くうき): chilly air
ひやっとする思(おも)いをする: to have a frightening near-miss experience

Note: The figurative use (a chill of fear or near-miss) is very common: ひやっとした (I was startled, I had a close call).

Similar words

すーすー: cool, airy sensation — a sustained gentle coolness rather than a sudden chill
ひんやり: pleasantly cool — typically not unpleasant
ぞっと: with a shudder — used for horror or disgust rather than cold

Related Words

Compare: すーすー (cool, airy sensation)

Compare: ひんやり (pleasantly cool)

Compare: ぞっと (with a shudder)

general

Added 2026.6.10 2:37 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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