泡
[a̠β̞a̠]
The English word "bubble" is translated into Japanese as 泡.
泡 is used to refer to any substance resembling a hollow sphere, such as bubbles, foam or froth found in liquids. This includes common examples like soap suds, the foam on top of beer or sea foam.
Meaning: anything resembling a hollow sphere (noun)
Did you know?
- In Japanese Buddhist thought, the concept of 'impermanence' is often illustrated using 泡 as a symbol for the fleeting and fragile nature of human life.
- In Japanese economic history, the 'bubble economy' of the late 1980s is referred to as バブル経済. While 泡 is the native word, the English loanword バブル is specifically used for this financial context.
- Japanese has a specific term 泡立てる which means to whip or froth, but it is also used figuratively to describe someone getting worked up or excited.
Examples in context
- 歌いながら洗顔してたら泡飲んじゃった。I swallowed a soap bubble when I was washing my face while singing.This sentence is useful for showing a context where one might accidentally swallow a soap bubble while washing one's face.Tatoeba #3169736 by tommy_san, translation #3182874 by WestofEden
- お風呂に入るとき、泡を作るのが好きです。I enjoy making bubbles when I take a bath.
- 川に泳いでいると、私の前に水の泡が浮かんできました。When I was swimming in the river, bubbles started floating in front of me.
- 炭酸飲料を飲むとき、舌の上であわあわと泡が広がります。When drinking a carbonated beverage, bubbles bubble up on my tongue.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are playing with soap bubbles in a park.
- 陽葵 Himari見て、健太！大きな泡ができたよ。mite, kenta! ookina awa ga dekita yo.Look, Kenta! I made a big bubble.
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。すごくきれいだね。hontou da. sugoku kirei da ne.You're right. It's really beautiful.
- 陽葵 Himariあ、割れちゃった。a, warechatta.Oh, it popped.
- 健太 Kentaもう一度作ってみよう。mou ichido tsukutte miyou.Let's try to make another one.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 泡, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
