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.
テロリストが橋を爆破した。
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.
ガスタンクが爆発した。
The gas tank blew up.
Literally 'blow away', used when an explosion sends things flying. More vivid than 爆破する.
爆弾が車を吹き飛ばした。
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.
風船を膨らませてください。
Please blow up the balloon.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to expand/inflate'. Use when the thing inflates by itself.
タイヤが自然に膨らんだ。
The tire blew up on its own.
Literally 'put in air'. A very common, casual way to say 'inflate'.
自転車のタイヤに空気を入れた。
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.
彼はその知らせを聞いて激怒した。
He blew up when he heard the news.
Literally 'anger explodes'. A vivid, natural expression for blowing up in anger.
ついに彼の怒りが爆発した。
Finally, he blew up.
Slang for 'to snap' or 'lose it'. Very common in casual speech.
あの先生はすぐキレる。
That teacher blows up easily.
To make a picture or text larger, often on a screen or in print.
General term for 'enlarge' or 'magnify'. Used for photos, maps, etc.
この写真を拡大して見てください。
Please blow up this photo and look at it.
Specifically for enlarging photographs or printed images.
その写真をポスターサイズに引き伸ばした。
I blew up the photo to poster size.
To make something seem more important or serious than it really is.
Literally 'say exaggeratedly'. The most common way to express this meaning.
彼はいつも小さな問題を大げさに言う。
He always blows up small problems.
Formal word for 'exaggerate'. Often used in writing.
メディアは事件を誇張して報道した。
The media blew up the incident.
The English 'blow up' meaning 'get angry' cannot be directly translated as 吹き上がる or similar. Use the expressions provided above.
彼は怒りで爆発しそうだった。
He was about to blow up with anger.