身みの毛けがよだつ

み

の

け

が

よ

だ

つ

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-tsu)

one's hair stands on end; get goosebumps from fear

Describes a strong physical reaction to extreme fear or horror, literally 'body hair stands up'. Often used in narrative or dramatic contexts.

Written forms

身みの毛けがよだつ
Standard spelling using kana for よだつ; the kanji 弥立つ is rare and may not be recognized by many readers.
身みの毛けが弥立よだつ
Rare kanji spelling; 弥立つ is an uncommon ateji-like representation. Prefer the kana form.

Kanji

身somebody, person, one's station in life
毛fur, hair, feather
弥all the more, increasingly
立stand up, rise, set up

Similar words

鳥とり肌はだが立たつ
鳥肌が立つ is more common for goosebumps from cold, excitement, or mild fear, while 身の毛がよだつ is stronger and specifically for horror or dread.

Etymology

The phrase combines 身の毛 (body hair) with よだつ, an old verb meaning 'to stand up' or 'to bristle'. The exact origin of よだつ is uncertain, but it is related to 弥立つ (いやだつ), an archaic term for hair standing on end.