손에 땀이 나다.
Sone ttami nada.
Be nervous/excited
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this phrase to describe the physical sensation of intense suspense or anxiety during a high-stakes moment.
- Means: To be so nervous or excited that your palms literally or figuratively sweat.
- Used in: Watching sports, playing video games, or waiting for important news.
- Don't confuse: With '땀을 흘리다' which usually refers to physical exercise or heat.
Explanation at your level:
意思
To feel nervous or excited, causing one's palms to sweat.
文化背景
In Korean sports culture, '손에 땀이 나는 승부' (a match that makes hands sweat) is the highest praise for a game's quality, indicating it was competitive and exciting. In the world of professional gaming (Starcraft, LoL), commentators frequently use this phrase during base races or final team fights to build hype for the viewers. Korean traditional medicine often views excessive palm sweat as a sign of a 'weak heart' or 'nervous temperament,' which reinforces the idiom's connection to anxiety. Korean thrillers (like those by Bong Joon-ho or Park Chan-wook) are often marketed using this phrase to promise a high-tension viewing experience.
Use the Causative
To sound more like a native, use '손에 땀을 쥐게 하는' when describing a movie or a book. It sounds more sophisticated than just saying it was 'fun'.
Particle Check
Remember it's '손에' (in the hand). Using '손이' makes the hand the subject of 'coming out,' which sounds like your hand is emerging from somewhere!
意思
To feel nervous or excited, causing one's palms to sweat.
Use the Causative
To sound more like a native, use '손에 땀을 쥐게 하는' when describing a movie or a book. It sounds more sophisticated than just saying it was 'fun'.
Particle Check
Remember it's '손에' (in the hand). Using '손이' makes the hand the subject of 'coming out,' which sounds like your hand is emerging from somewhere!
Sports Commentary
If you watch Korean sports, listen for this phrase. You will hear it almost every time the score is close in the final minutes.
自我测试
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
어제 본 공포 영화가 너무 무서워서 보는 내내 손에 (____) 났어요.
The idiom for suspense is '손에 땀이 나다'.
Which situation best fits the phrase '손에 땀이 나다'?
다음 중 '손에 땀이 나는' 상황은 언제입니까?
Waiting for a penalty kick is a high-suspense moment.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 면접 잘 봤어요? B: 아니요, 너무 긴장해서 (________________).
Being nervous in an interview is a perfect context for this idiom.
Choose the most natural causative form.
그 영화의 마지막 장면은 관객들의 (________________) 했다.
'손에 땀을 쥐게 하다' is the standard causative form for describing a suspenseful movie.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
常见问题
12 个问题Yes, if the fear involves suspense (like a thriller). If it's pure terror, '무서워 죽겠다' or '식은땀이 나다' might be more common.
It's a bit casual. In a formal meeting, say '긴장이 많이 됩니다' (I am very nervous) instead.
'나다' is the feeling (sweat comes out), while '쥐다' is the action (holding the sweat), used to describe how intense the situation is.
Yes! If you are excited about a concert or a surprise, you can say it to show your heart is racing.
Young people might say '심장 쫄깃하다' (heart is chewy/tight) for the same feeling.
Usually no. It's a metaphor for the *feeling* of tension, though your hands might actually be a bit damp!
No, that's not an idiom for tension. '발바닥에 땀이 나다' means you are very busy.
Use '손에 땀을 쥐게 하는 경기였어요.'
Yes, it is a common Korean idiom used across the peninsula.
No, unless the sadness comes from a tense, suspenseful situation.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but '마음이 편안하다' (to be at ease) is the opposite feeling.
Yes, {땀|汗} always refers to perspiration.
相关表达
손에 땀을 쥐다
similarTo hold sweat in one's hands
조마조마하다
synonymTo feel nervous/restless
가슴이 두근거리다
similarOne's heart is pounding
침이 마르다
similarOne's mouth is dry
발바닥에 땀이 나다
contrastSweat on the soles of feet
在哪里用
Watching a Penalty Kick
A: 와, 이제 마지막 한 골만 넣으면 이겨요!
B: 그러게요. 너무 떨려서 손에 땀이 나요.
Before a Job Interview
A: 지민 씨, 괜찮아요? 얼굴이 하얘요.
B: 면접 직전이라 너무 긴장돼서 손에 땀이 나네요.
Watching a Horror Movie
A: 이 영화 진짜 무섭다. 그치?
B: 응, 주인공이 잡힐까 봐 손에 땀이 나.
Playing a Competitive Game
A: 야, 조심해! 뒤에 적 있어!
B: 알아! 아, 진짜 손에 땀이 나서 컨트롤이 안 돼!
Waiting for Exam Results
A: 합격자 명단 확인했어?
B: 아니, 클릭하기 직전인데 손에 땀이 나서 못 하겠어.
On a First Date
A: 오늘 즐거웠어요.
B: 저도요. 사실 아까는 너무 떨려서 손에 땀이 났어요.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'SON' (hand) holding a 'TAM' (sweat) bottle because he's so nervous.
Visual Association
Imagine yourself holding a video game controller so tightly that water (sweat) starts dripping from your palms during a boss fight.
Rhyme
손에 땀이 나, 긴장이 돼 나! (Sweat in my hand, I'm nervous, man!)
Story
You are at a stadium watching the World Cup final. Korea is about to take a penalty kick. You look down at your hands and they are soaking wet, even though it's cold outside. That is '손에 땀이 나다'.
Word Web
挑战
Watch a 2-minute highlight of a scary movie or a sports game and say '손에 땀이 나요' out loud three times during the most intense parts.
In Other Languages
Sweaty palms / On the edge of one's seat
English 'sweaty palms' is often negative (anxiety), while Korean is often positive (excitement/thrill).
手に汗を握る (Te ni ase o nigiru)
Japanese almost always uses the 'holding' (握る) verb, while Korean uses both 'emerging' (나다) and 'holding' (쥐다).
捏一把汗 (Niē yī bǎ hàn)
Chinese often implies worrying *for* someone else, while Korean can be for oneself or the situation.
Estar con el alma en un hilo
Spanish uses a more spiritual/metaphysical metaphor.
Avoir les mains moites
French is more often used for social awkwardness than for watching a thrilling sports game.
Schweißnasse Hände haben
Less commonly used to describe the quality of a movie or game.
على أعصابه (Ala a'sabihi)
Focuses on the nervous system rather than the sweat glands.
De tirar o fôlego
Focuses on breathing rather than hands.
Easily Confused
Both involve sweat (땀).
Use '흘리다' for physical effort/heat and '나다' for the idiom of tension.
Both involve sweat and nervousness.
'식은땀' (cold sweat) is for fear, illness, or embarrassment, while '손에 땀이 나다' is for suspense and excitement.
常见问题 (12)
Yes, if the fear involves suspense (like a thriller). If it's pure terror, '무서워 죽겠다' or '식은땀이 나다' might be more common.
It's a bit casual. In a formal meeting, say '긴장이 많이 됩니다' (I am very nervous) instead.
'나다' is the feeling (sweat comes out), while '쥐다' is the action (holding the sweat), used to describe how intense the situation is.
Yes! If you are excited about a concert or a surprise, you can say it to show your heart is racing.
Young people might say '심장 쫄깃하다' (heart is chewy/tight) for the same feeling.
Usually no. It's a metaphor for the *feeling* of tension, though your hands might actually be a bit damp!
No, that's not an idiom for tension. '발바닥에 땀이 나다' means you are very busy.
Use '손에 땀을 쥐게 하는 경기였어요.'
Yes, it is a common Korean idiom used across the peninsula.
No, unless the sadness comes from a tense, suspenseful situation.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but '마음이 편안하다' (to be at ease) is the opposite feeling.
Yes, {땀|汗} always refers to perspiration.
