Japanese word

膨れる

Pronunciation

Romajifukureru

Meaning

  • verbswell

Example

水を吸うと、豆が膨れます。mizu o sū to mame ga fuku re ma su

The beans swell when they absorb water.

Illustration for 膨れる (swell)

More examples

荷物を詰めると、かばんが膨れます。ni motsu o tsu me ru to ka ba n ga fuku re ma su

The bag bulges when you fill it with luggage.

Core concept

Describes something expanding beyond its earlier size or amount, whether its shape bulges or its total grows.

Common phrases

  • 腹が膨れるhara ga fuku re ru

    feel full

  • 頬が膨れるhō ga fuku re ru

    cheeks puff out

  • 袋が膨れるfukuro ga fuku re ru

    a bag bulges

Similar words

膨らむfukuramu: To increase in size or become rounded as its contents or amount grows.
膨張するbōchōsuru: To increase in volume as a result of pressure, heat, or another physical condition.
腫れるhareru: To become swollen, usually as a bodily response to injury, illness, or irritation.

Definition in Japanese

水分や空気などを含んで、物の中身が増し、丸みを帯びて大きくなる。sui bun ya kū ki na do o fuku n de mono no naka mi ga ma shi maru mi o o bi te ō ki ku na ru

Word origin

膨れる (fukureru) derives from 膨る (fukuru, "to swell") with the added form れる (reru), which conveys becoming swollen or larger.

Usage tips

  • The verb can also describe a bill or debt growing larger, extending the idea of physical swelling to an increasing amount.

Other meanings

  • bulgeverb
  • expandverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 膨れfukureswellingnoun

Word lists with this word