laang5 hon6冷汗
Jyutpinglaang5 hon6
Yaleláahng hohn
Definition
Cold sweat; sweat produced due to nervousness, discomfort, or sudden shock.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
The verb 標 is almost exclusively used with 冷汗 to describe the sudden, involuntary onset of sweating due to fear or physical distress. It carries a strong sense of an immediate, visceral reaction to a stimulus rather than a gradual process. While it can describe a medical symptom, it is frequently used hyperbolically to describe intense nervousness or shock.
Examples
Seeing the price, I immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
Why did you suddenly break out in a cold sweat? Are you feeling unwell?
Related words
Common phrases
to break out in a cold sweat
scared to the point of breaking out in a cold sweat
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general sweating, but 冷汗 specifically refers to a stress or health response. Do not use it to describe sweating from heat or exercise, for which 焗汗 or 出汗 are appropriate.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
