擦汗
To wipe sweat
Littéralement: 擦 (cā - to wipe) 汗 (hàn - sweat)
Use `擦汗` for physical heat or when you're feeling 'phew' after a stressful or awkward moment.
En 15 secondes
- Literally means wiping sweat from the skin.
- Commonly used to express nervousness or social awkwardness.
- Works as both a physical description and a figurative reaction.
Signification
It literally means to wipe away sweat with a towel or your hand. It is used when you are physically hot or feeling socially awkward and nervous.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6After a morning run
跑完步，我一直在擦汗。
After running, I kept wiping my sweat.
Eating spicy food
这个火锅太辣了，他边吃边擦汗。
This hotpot is too spicy; he's wiping sweat while eating.
A nervous job interview
面试官的问题很难，他紧张得不停地擦汗。
The interviewer's questions were hard; he was so nervous he kept wiping sweat.
Contexte culturel
In East Asian pop culture, particularly through manga and anime influences, the act of wiping sweat has become a universal shorthand for feeling awkward or 'cringe.' While it began as a literal description of labor, it is now a staple of digital communication to show you are overwhelmed by someone's behavior.
The Emoji Connection
If you see the 😅 emoji in a Chinese chat, the person is mentally '擦汗'. You can literally type the words to mean the same thing.
Don't mix with 'Wash'
Don't confuse `擦` (wipe) with `洗` (wash). You `擦汗` to stay dry, but you `洗澡` (take a bath) to get clean.
En 15 secondes
- Literally means wiping sweat from the skin.
- Commonly used to express nervousness or social awkwardness.
- Works as both a physical description and a figurative reaction.
What It Means
擦汗 is a simple action with two layers. First, it is the physical act of drying your skin. Second, it is a classic body language cue. In Chinese culture, it often signals that you are under pressure. It is that 'phew' moment when you are relieved or stressed.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standard verb-object phrase. You can say 他在擦汗 (He is wiping sweat). You can also add a tool like 用纸巾擦汗 (Wipe sweat with a tissue). It is very flexible in daily conversation. Use it to describe yourself or others during activity.
When To Use It
Use it when you finish a workout at the gym. Use it while eating spicy Sichuan hotpot with friends. It is perfect for describing a nervous presenter in a meeting. If you are texting, it expresses 'that was a close call!' It works well in both literal and figurative settings.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for tears; that would be 擦眼泪. Avoid using it in very high-level formal writing. It is a bit too 'physical' for a poetic essay. Also, don't use it if someone is just 'glowing' slightly. It implies there is visible moisture to remove. It is not a metaphor for hard work like 'blood, sweat, and tears.'
Cultural Background
In China, 'sweating' is often linked to 'shame' or 'embarrassment.' If you make a mistake, you might mimic the motion of 擦汗. This shows you know you messed up. It is a way to humble yourself. In anime-style digital culture, the 'single sweat drop' emoji is the digital version of 擦汗.
Common Variations
You might hear 抹汗 (mǒ hàn) which is more casual. 满头大汗 (mǎntóu dàhàn) means your whole head is covered in sweat. If you want to be funny, say 吓出一身汗. This means you were so scared you started sweating. These variations help you sound more like a local.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is very safe to use in almost any context. Just remember that in digital slang, it often conveys a sense of 'I have no words' or 'That's awkward.'
The Emoji Connection
If you see the 😅 emoji in a Chinese chat, the person is mentally '擦汗'. You can literally type the words to mean the same thing.
Don't mix with 'Wash'
Don't confuse `擦` (wipe) with `洗` (wash). You `擦汗` to stay dry, but you `洗澡` (take a bath) to get clean.
The Handkerchief Habit
While many use tissues, older generations in China often carry a cloth handkerchief specifically for `擦汗`. It's seen as refined and prepared.
Exemples
6跑完步，我一直在擦汗。
After running, I kept wiping my sweat.
Literal use describing post-exercise cooling.
这个火锅太辣了，他边吃边擦汗。
This hotpot is too spicy; he's wiping sweat while eating.
A very common sight in Chinese restaurants.
面试官的问题很难，他紧张得不停地擦汗。
The interviewer's questions were hard; he was so nervous he kept wiping sweat.
Shows physical manifestation of stress.
刚才真险，擦汗。
That was a close one, *wipes sweat*.
Used as a reaction to a near-miss or awkward situation.
看到他的表演，我只能替他擦汗。
Seeing his performance, I can only wipe sweat for him.
Figurative use meaning 'I am embarrassed for him.'
妈妈温柔地给孩子擦汗。
The mother gently wiped the sweat off the child.
A warm, nurturing context.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about the weather.
今天太热了，我一直在___。
Because it is hot (太热了), 'wiping sweat' (擦汗) is the most logical immediate reaction.
Complete the sentence to show the person is nervous.
他很紧张，拿出手帕来___。
Wiping sweat with a handkerchief (手帕) is a classic sign of being nervous (紧张).
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 擦汗
Texting friends using it as an emoji substitute.
真尴尬，擦汗...
Daily life description of heat or exercise.
他在擦汗。
Describing a speaker's state in a news report.
他频频擦汗，显得十分不安。
When to say 擦汗
Gym/Sports
After a 5k run
Spicy Food
Eating Mala Tang
Awkward Chat
When someone tells a bad joke
High Pressure
During a tough exam
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's also for when you're nervous or embarrassed. For example, 他紧张得一直擦汗 means he's sweating from stress.
Yes, it's a neutral term. You can use it to describe someone's physical state without being rude, like 请擦擦汗 (Please wipe your sweat).
流汗 means the sweat is flowing (the process), while 擦汗 is the action of removing it.
In internet slang, people just type 擦汗 or 汗 to show they are speechless or find something 'cringe'.
Not really. For hard work, use 流汗 or 汗水. 擦汗 is just the act of cleaning up.
You say 用毛巾擦汗. 用 (yòng) means 'use' and 毛巾 (máojīn) is towel.
It's common but considered a bit informal. You would say 用袖子擦汗.
No, it just implies you are hot or active. It's a very normal, everyday expression.
Yes, for a cold sweat (出冷汗), you would still use 擦汗 to dry yourself off.
It's a verb-object construction. 擦 is the verb (to wipe) and 汗 is the noun (sweat).
Expressions liées
流汗 (To sweat)
出汗 (To break into a sweat)
满头大汗 (To be covered in sweat)
汗水 (Sweat/Perspiration)
擦脸 (To wipe one's face)
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