Translation and Meaning of: 汗 - ase

If you've ever studied Japanese or come into with Japanese culture, you've probably encountered the word 汗 (あせ), which simply means "sweat" or "perspiration." But is that all there is to it? In this article, we will delve into the etymology, everyday usage, the pictogram, and even trivia about this word that, despite being simple, plays an interesting role in the Japanese language. Here at Suki Nihongo, the largest online Japanese dictionary, you will also learn the correct way to write the kanji and useful phrases to include in your Anki or spaced repetition program.

In addition to its literal meaning, 汗 appears in popular expressions, internet memes, and even in everyday situations that can be surprising. Did you know, for example, that the Japanese use this word to describe more than just physical sweat? That's right, and we will break it all down below.

Etymology and origin of the kanji 汗

The kanji 汗 is formed by the water radical (氵) on the left, which already gives a hint of its meaning, and by the component 干 on the right, which originally represented something dry or exposed to the sun. Together, these elements suggest the idea of liquid being expelled and evaporating—exactly what happens with sweat. Interestingly, this same logic appears in other kanjis related to bodily fluids, such as 涙 (tear) and 尿 (urine).

The pronunciation あせ (ase) has roots in ancient Japanese, where it was already used to refer to perspiration. Unlike many kanjis that were borrowed from Chinese, this is one of the words that already existed in the Japanese vocabulary before the introduction of Chinese writing. When the kanjis arrived in Japan, 汗 was naturally associated with "ase" due to its coherent meaning.

Everyday use and popular expressions

In daily life, the Japanese use 汗 not only to refer to physical sweat but also in situations of nervousness or mental effort. Expressions like 冷汗 (ひやあせ, hiyaase), which means "cold sweat," are common when someone is scared or embarrassed. Meanwhile, 汗だく (あせだく, asedaku) describes someone completely soaked in sweat, either from exercise or intense heat.

On the internet, especially on social media and forums, 汗 has become a symbol of embarrassment or an awkward situation, similar to the cold sweat emoji (😅) in the West. It's common to see young people commenting "汗" alone in response to an embarrassing or unexpected situation. This digital adaptation shows how the Japanese language absorbs and transforms even the most basic .

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to memorize the kanji 汗 is to associate its water radical (氵) with the concept of liquid being expelled—after all, sweat is just water and minerals leaving the pores. If you already know the kanji 干 (to dry), it gets even easier: imagine the sun (represented by 干) evaporating the water (氵) from your skin on a hot day.

An interesting cultural insight is that in Japan, sweating is often associated with hard work and effort. While in the West we may try to hide sweat, there it is common to see people proudly displaying their sweaty faces after a workout or a long journey. Even in animes and dramas, scenes of characters sweating are used to convey determination or tension. Have you noticed how the protagonist is always dripping with 汗 during that intense training?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 汗水 (あせ) - sweat
• しゃっくり - Gorpida, the act of hiccuping
• しゃっくり声 - Voice to sob
• しゃっくり音 - Sound of sobbing
• しゃっくり音声 - Voice (audio) while sobbing
• しゃっくり声音 - Voice (sound) to sobbing
• しゃっくり音響 - Acoustics of the hiccup
• しゃくり声 - Voice to sob (variant)
• しゃくり音 - Sound of sobbing (variant)
• しゃくり音声 - Voice (audio) while sobbing (variant)
• しゃくり声音 - Voice (sound) when sobbing (variant)
• しゃくり音響 - Acoustics of the hiccup (variant)