Translation guide
The English phrase "blow up" has several distinct meanings, from causing an explosion to inflating something or suddenly becoming angry. This guide breaks down the most common uses and provides natural Japanese equivalents for each.
To destroy something with an explosion, or to be destroyed in an explosion.
The most direct and common verb for blowing something up intentionally, like a building or a bomb.
The terrorists blew up the bridge.
Means 'to explode' intransitively. Use this when something blows up on its own, like a gas tank or a bomb.
The gas tank blew up.
Literally 'blow away', used when an explosion sends things flying. More vivid than 爆破する.
The bomb blew up the car.
To fill something with air, like a balloon or a tire.
Transitive verb meaning 'to inflate'. Used for balloons, tires, etc.
Please blow up the balloon.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to expand/inflate'. Use when the thing inflates by itself.
Literally 'put in air'. A very common, casual way to say 'inflate'.
I blew up the bicycle tire.
To lose one's temper explosively.
Formal/literary word for 'to become furious'. Suitable for writing or serious situations.
He blew up when he heard the news.
Literally 'anger explodes'. A vivid, natural expression for blowing up in anger.
Finally, he blew up.
Slang for 'to snap' or 'lose it'. Very common in casual speech.
To make a picture or text larger, often on a screen or in print.
To make something seem more important or serious than it really is.
The English 'blow up' meaning 'get angry' cannot be directly translated as 吹き上がる or similar. Use the expressions provided above.
He was about to blow up with anger.
タイヤが自然に膨らんだ。
The tire blew up on its own.
That teacher blows up easily.
I blew up the photo to poster size.