Translation guide
A blowhole is a hole on the top of a whale or dolphin's head used for breathing. It can also refer to a hole in ice or rock where air or water blows through, or a vent for air or gas.
The hole on top of a whale or dolphin's head for breathing.
Standard biological term for a cetacean blowhole.
A hole in ice or rock through which air or water blows, often found in sea caves or lava tubes.
Used for coastal blowholes where waves force water upward.
この海岸には有名な潮吹き穴がある。
There is a famous blowhole on this coast.
A vent or opening for air or gas, such as in a machine or structure.
噴気孔 (funkikō) is the standard term for a whale's blowhole and also for volcanic vents. 潮吹き穴 (shiofukiana) specifically refers to a coastal blowhole where waves spout water. For general air vents, use 通気孔 (tsūkikō).
クジラが噴気孔から潮を吹いた。
The whale spouted water from its blowhole.
Literally 'breathing hole', used in biological contexts.
イルカの呼吸孔は頭のてっぺんにある。
A dolphin's blowhole is on the top of its head.
Colloquial, literally 'spout hole', less common in formal writing.
子供たちはクジラの潮吹き穴をじっと見つめた。
The children stared at the whale's blowhole.
Can also refer to a volcanic vent or fumarole, but context distinguishes it from the whale meaning.
火山の噴気孔から蒸気が噴き出している。
Steam is gushing from the volcanic blowhole.
General term for an air hole, but can be used for a blowhole in ice or rock.
氷に空気穴が開いていて、そこから風が吹き込む。
There is a blowhole in the ice, and wind blows through it.
General term for a ventilation hole or air vent.
機械の通気孔をふさがないでください。
Please do not block the machine's blowhole.
Literally 'air release', often used for vents that let air escape.
この容器には空気抜きの穴がある。
This container has a blowhole for air release.
Specifically a gas vent, used in industrial or cooking contexts.
圧力鍋のガス抜き穴から蒸気が出ている。
Steam is coming out of the pressure cooker's blowhole.