爆発
bakuhatsu[ba̠kɯ̟̊ha̠t͡sɨ]
The English phrase explosion is translated into Japanese as 爆発 (bakuhatsu).
爆発 refers to a violent release of energy. This term is used both for physical explosions and metaphorically to describe sudden outbursts of emotion, such as anger.
Meaning: violent release of energy (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 爆 (explode/burst) and 発 (emit/happen).
How do you pronounce it?
bakuhatsu
Did you know?
- The kanji 爆 can also be read as baku in the word 爆買い, which means 'explosive buying'. This describes the phenomenon of tourists buying huge quantities of goods in Japan.
- While 爆発 describes a blast, the word 爆盛り (bakumori) describes a food portion that is so large it looks like it is exploding out of the bowl.
- The second kanji in 爆発, 発, is also the same character used in the word for 'departure', as in 'departing' from a station.
Examples in context
- 爆発の原因は何だったの？What was the cause of the explosion?This sentence is useful for asking about the cause of an explosion using 爆発.Tatoeba #121378 by bunbuku, translation #44484 by CK
- 彼はその爆発にぎょっとした。He was alarmed by the explosion.This sentence is useful for describing being alarmed by an explosion using 爆発.Tatoeba #112455 by bunbuku, translation #291222 by CM
- 爆発で建物全体が揺れました。The explosion shook the whole building.This sentence is useful for describing how an explosion shook a building using 爆発.Tatoeba #121384 by KK_kaku_, translation #282622 by CM
- 爆発の原因を調査しています。We are investigating the cause of the explosion.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two neighbors are discussing a sudden loud noise in the distance.
- 美咲 Misaki今、大きな爆発の音がしたよね？Ima, ōkina bakuhatsu no oto ga shita yo ne?That was a loud explosion just now, wasn't it?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、すごく大きな音がした。Un, sugoku ōkina oto ga shita.Yeah, it was a really loud sound.
- 美咲 Misaki何かあったのかしら？Nani ka atta no kashira?I wonder if something happened?
- 陽太 Yotaニュースを調べてみるよ。Nyūsu o shirabete miru yo.I'll check the news.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “explosion” translations and entries 爆発, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
