Meet 汗 in everyday phrases and a compound for perspiration. Learn each reading with its whole word.
The idea
汗 has 6 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 汗 is あせ on its own, while 発汗 is はっかん. 汗をかく means to sweat.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 汗 | あせ | sweat |
| 発汗 | はっかん | perspiration |
| 冷や汗 | ひやあせ | cold sweat |
Examples
- 額の汗を拭きました。I wiped the sweat from my forehead.
- 走ってたくさん汗をかきました。I worked up a lot of sweat running.
- 夏は座っているだけでも汗が出ます。In summer, I sweat even when sitting still.
- このシャツは汗をよく吸います。This shirt absorbs sweat well.
- 発汗は体温を調節するために大切です。Sweating is important for regulating body temperature.
- 財布を忘れたと気づいて、冷や汗をかきました。I broke out in a cold sweat when I realized I had forgotten my wallet.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not read 汗 as あせ in every compound: 発汗 uses かん. 冷や汗 can describe fear or embarrassment, not just temperature.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 汗 in hiragana.
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あせ
汗 is あせ, as in wiping sweat from your forehead.
Write the reading of 発汗 in hiragana.
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はっかん
発汗 is はっかん: the compound means perspiration.
Choose the missing kanji: 冷や＿（ひやあせ）［汗／干］.
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汗
汗 completes 冷や汗（ひやあせ）, cold sweat caused here by alarm.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 汗 in hiragana.
Write the reading of 発汗 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: 冷や＿（ひやあせ）［汗／干］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 汗 following the diagram. Cover the examples, read 汗 and 発汗, then make a sentence with 汗をかく.