Translation guide
The English word 'balloon' can refer to a toy balloon, a hot-air balloon, or the verb meaning to swell or expand. This guide covers the most common Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
A small inflatable rubber bag used as a toy or decoration.
The standard word for a toy balloon. Used for party balloons, water balloons, etc.
子供たちは風船で遊んでいる。
The children are playing with balloons.
風船を膨らませてください。
Please inflate the balloon.
Loanword from English, often used in commercial contexts or for decorative balloons, like balloon art or balloon bouquets.
バルーンアートが得意です。
I'm good at balloon art.
A large balloon filled with heated air, used for carrying passengers.
The standard term for a hot-air balloon.
熱気球に乗ってみたい。
I want to ride in a hot-air balloon.
General term for any balloon (gas or hot-air) used for flight. Often used in compounds.
To become larger or rounder in shape, often suddenly.
Intransitive verb meaning to swell, expand, or bulge. Used for cheeks, sails, budgets, etc.
頬が膨らんだ。
His cheeks ballooned.
帆が風で膨らんでいる。
The sail is ballooning in the wind.
Intransitive verb similar to 膨らむ, but often implies a more irregular or puffy swelling, or can be used for sulking.
Formal/technical term for expansion, often used for gases, metals, or abstract things like budgets.
空気が熱で膨張する。
Air expands (balloons) with heat.
A rounded outline containing words or thoughts in a comic or cartoon.
The standard term for speech or thought bubbles in manga/comics.
漫画の吹き出しに台詞が書いてある。
The dialogue is written in the speech balloon.
Also used for speech bubbles, especially in design contexts.
While バルーン is used for toy/decorative balloons and speech bubbles, it is not used for hot-air balloons. Use 熱気球 instead.
A balloon festival is held.
パンが膨れた。
The bread ballooned (rose).
バルーンの中に文字を入れる。
Put text inside the balloon.