Entry
ほっと
hotto
A profound feeling of relief when tension, anxiety, or danger passes.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes the psychological state of deep relief after a stressful or dangerous situation is resolved. It mimics the physical act of letting out a short, quiet sigh as tension leaves the body.
- Relief from worry or fear
- A brief moment of relaxation
Sense Map
Feeling Relieved
The sense of security and mental unburdening that comes after a problem or threat has been successfully avoided or overcome.
無事に終わってほっとした。
Taking a Breather
A short moment of pausing to relax and calm down in the middle of a busy schedule or task.
コーヒーを飲んでほっと一息つく。
Usage Note
How to Use
ほっとする
Used as a verb meaning to feel relieved. The past tense (ほっとした) is extremely common because the relief naturally follows the resolution of an event.
ほっとした + noun
Acts as a modifier for a noun, most commonly used with facial expressions or voices to describe a look of relief (ほっとした顔).
ほっと一息つく
A set phrase meaning to take a breather or to pause and relax for a moment after doing something tiring.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ほっとする
to feel relieved
ほっと一息つく
to take a short breather
ほっと胸をなでおろす
to heave a sigh of relief (idiom)
ほっと安心する
to feel relieved and safe
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing good news after worrying | positive | Shows deep gratitude and relief that a feared outcome did not happen. |
| Taking a tea break | neutral | Indicates a mild relaxation, letting go of physical and mental tension for a few minutes. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
すっきり すっきり / contrast | Used when your mind becomes clear or your body feels physically refreshed, such as after taking a shower or cleaning a room. | Does not focus on escaping danger or worry. You would not use すっきり when hearing a family member survived an accident. | シャワーを浴びてすっきりした。 |
ほっこり ほっこり / nearby | Used when you feel a heartwarming, cozy peace, usually from seeing something cute, experiencing kindness, or eating warm food. | Does not imply relief from fear. ほっこり is a warm fuzziness, whereas ほっと is the release of stress. | 猫の写真を見てほっこりした。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ほっと to mean hot temperature.
Although it sounds like the English word hot, ほっと is entirely unrelated to temperature. Use 暑い (atsui) for hot weather.
Using ほっと for feeling physically clean.
For feeling refreshed after a shower or exercise, use すっきり (sukkiri) or さっぱり (sappari).
Examples
Examples
試験が終わって、ほっとした。
しけんがおわって、ほっとした。
The exams are over, and I feel relieved.
LiteralShows relief after finishing a heavy mental burden.
彼の無事を知って、家族はみんなほっとした。
かれのぶじをしって、かぞくはみんなほっとした。
Knowing he was safe, the whole family felt relieved.
LiteralRelief from anxiety concerning someone's safety.
温かいお茶を飲んで、ほっと一息つく。
あたたかいおちゃをのんで、ほっとひといきつく。
Drinking warm tea and taking a short breather.
LiteralA classic example using the phrase hitoiki tsuku (taking a breath).
無事に家に着いて、ほっと胸をなでおろした。
ぶじにいえについて、ほっとむねをなでおろした。
Arriving home safely, I heaved a sigh of relief.
FigurativeUses the stroking the chest idiom to show gratitude that a danger has passed.
合格と聞いて、彼はほっとした顔を見せた。
ごうかくと聞いて、かれはほっとしたかおをみせた。
Hearing he passed, he showed a relieved face.
VisualShows how the relief changes someone's physical expression.
Similar Words
すっきり
sukkiri
Feeling refreshed, relieved, or appearing neat and clean without any lingering clutter. すっきり is a physical or mental feeling of refreshment, not relief from danger.
ほっこり
hokkori
This word describes a physically warm and soft texture, as well as a heart-warming feeling of relaxation or relief. ほっこり is heartwarming coziness from something sweet, not from the removal of stress.
さっぱり
sappari
Describes a clean and unburdened state, such as feeling refreshed, having a light taste, or completely lacking something when used with a negative verb.
Questions
Is ほっと borrowed from the English word hot?
No. It is a native Japanese mimetic word that mimics the sound of letting out a short breath when tension leaves the body.
What does the phrase ほっと胸をなでおろす mean?
It is an idiom that literally means stroking one's chest in relief. It is used to express profound relief after narrowly avoiding a crisis.
Can I use ほっと when I am happy about receiving a gift?
Not really. ほっと focuses on the absence of stress or anxiety, not just general happiness. Use 嬉しい (ureshii) for the joy of receiving a gift.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1011660
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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