Japanese word

膨らむ

Pronunciation

Romajifukuramu

Meaning

  • verbexpand

Example

風船に空気を入れると膨らみます。fū sen ni kū ki o i re ru to fuku ra mi ma su

The balloon expands when you put air in it.

Illustration for 膨らむ (expand)

More examples

水を吸うと、乾燥した豆が膨らみます。mizu o sū to kan sō shi ta mame ga fuku ra mi ma su

The dried beans expand when they absorb water.

Core concept

Describes something becoming larger in volume or scale, often because its contents increase or its surface swells.

Common phrases

  • 大きく膨らむō ki ku fuku ra mu

    expand greatly

  • どんどん膨らむdo n do n fuku ra mu

    expand rapidly

Similar words

膨れるfukureru: To become swollen or rounded as air, liquid, or food fills something.
拡大するkakudaisuru: To become larger in size, scope, or scale, often through planned change.
膨張するbōchōsuru: To become larger in volume or size, often because pressure or heat increases.
広がるhirogaru: To extend over a wider area, range, or scope.

Definition in Japanese

中身が増えるなどして、物の体積や規模が大きくなる。naka mi ga fu e ru na do shi te mono no tai seki ya ki bo ga ō ki ku na ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 膨らむ (fukuramu) is formed from ふくら (fukura), the stem associated with becoming swollen, and む (mu), a verb-forming ending.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 膨らむ (fukuramu) applies to hopes, plans, and costs as well as balloons, so it can describe abstract growth as well as physical swelling.

Other meanings

  • swellverb
  • inflateverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 膨らみfukuramiswellingnoun
  • 膨らませるfukuramaseruinflateverb

Word lists with this word