bolha
/ˈbo.ʎɐ/feminine
The English word bubble is translated into Portuguese as bolha.
bolha refers to anything resembling a hollow sphere. This includes literal bubbles, such as those in liquid, as well as metaphorical uses like describing an economic bubble.
Meaning: anything resembling a hollow sphere (noun)
Which one should you use?
While bolha is the general term for a bubble, you should use bolha de sabão if you specifically want to refer to a soap bubble. If you are referring to foam, the word Espuma is used, though Espuma can also be used to refer to soap bubbles.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of bolha is bolhas.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈbo.ʎɐ/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word bula, a doublet of bolha, has evolved in Portuguese to specifically mean the 'instruction leaflet' found inside a medicine box.
- In Portuguese, you might hear someone describe a 'bolha de sabão' rather than just 'bolha' to ensure they aren't talking about a skin blister.
- The word bolha shares the same Latin root as the English word 'bulb', creating a hidden linguistic connection between a bubble and a lightbulb.
Examples in context
- Bitcoin é uma bolha?Is Bitcoin a bubble?This sentence is useful for discussing whether Bitcoin is a bolha.Tatoeba #6558137 by bill, translation #6547794 by Hybrid
- No convés do navio de investigação encontra-se um submersível com cúpula em forma de bolha que leva os cientistas até 900 metros de profundidade para estudar a vida no fundo do oceano.Sitting on the deck of the research vessel is a bubble-domed submersible that takes scientists down as deep as 900 meters to study the life on the ocean floor.This sentence uses bolha to describe a submersible with a dome in the shape of a bubble.Tatoeba #12105091 by Cangarejo, translation #12105089 by Cangarejo
- É porque a bolha desapareceu no ar.That's because the bubble vanished into thin air.This sentence shows how a bolha can vanish into thin air.Tatoeba #3298056 by mervert1, translation #35103 by AlanF_US
- Eu adoro estourar bolhas de sabão.I love popping soap bubbles.
- A criança ficou encantada com as bolhinhas de sabão.The child was enchanted with the soap bubbles.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are watching children play at a park.
- GabrielOlhe aquela bolha enorme!Look at that huge bubble!
- CamilaEla é muito bonita, Gabriel.It is very beautiful, Gabriel.
- GabrielCuidado para não estourar a bolha.Be careful not to pop the bubble.
- CamilaEu vou tentar não tocar nela.I will try not to touch it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bubble” translations and entries bolha, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bolha, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
