Translation guide
Describes liquid rising and spilling out of a container while boiling, or figuratively, emotions becoming uncontrollable.
To describe a liquid that rises and spills over the sides of a pot or container while boiling.
The most common and natural way to say a liquid boils over. Used for pots, kettles, etc.
鍋が吹きこぼれそうだ。
The pot is about to boil over.
牛乳が吹きこぼれた。
The milk boiled over.
Similar to 吹きこぼれる, but emphasizes the boiling action. Slightly less common.
スープが煮えこぼれてコンロが汚れた。
The soup boiled over and made the stove dirty.
Means 'to overflow' in general, not specifically from boiling. Can be used for boiling over but is less precise.
To describe feelings, especially anger or excitement, becoming uncontrollable.
Literally 'emotions explode'. A strong, common metaphor for losing control of feelings.
彼の怒りが爆発した。
His anger boiled over.
Do not use 吹きこぼれる for emotions. It only applies to physical liquids. For emotions, use metaphors like 爆発する or idiomatic phrases.
お湯があふれた。
The hot water overflowed.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'the string of one's patience bag snaps', i.e., patience runs out and anger boils over.
ついに堪忍袋の緒が切れた。
Finally, my patience boiled over.
Describes anger welling up, often to the point of boiling over.
怒りが込み上げてきて、抑えられなかった。
Anger boiled over and I couldn't hold it back.