Translation guide
The English word "bubble" can refer to a physical sphere of gas in liquid, an economic cycle, a protective or isolated space, or a sound effect. This guide covers the most common and useful Japanese expressions for each meaning.
A small, round pocket of air or gas in a liquid, or a thin film of liquid enclosing air.
The most common word for bubbles in general, including soap bubbles, foam, and bubbles in water.
The bubbles on the beer are beautiful.
The child is chasing soap bubbles.
Loanword from English, often used for soap bubbles or in a playful context, but less common than 泡 for everyday bubbles.
I made bubbles in the bath and played.
Technical term for air bubbles, often used in scientific or industrial contexts.
Air bubbles are forming in the water.
A period of rapid, unsustainable growth in asset prices followed by a collapse.
The standard term for an economic bubble, often used in phrases like バブル経済 (bubble economy) or バブル崩壊 (bubble burst).
Japan's bubble burst in the early 1990s.
There are concerns about a real estate bubble.
Specifically refers to the bubble economy period, often used historically for Japan's late 1980s boom.
A metaphorical space where one is isolated from outside influences or differing opinions.
Used metaphorically, similar to English, for social or information bubbles. Often combined with other words.
I'm stuck in a social media filter bubble.
He lives in his own bubble.
Literally 'closed world', used to describe an insular community or mindset, similar to a bubble.
That community is a closed world (a bubble).
The sound of bubbles popping or forming, often used in comics or casual speech.
Onomatopoeia for small bubbles rising or popping, often used for boiling water or fish bubbles.
The pot is bubbling (simmering with small bubbles).
Onomatopoeia for larger bubbles or a more vigorous bubbling sound, like a diver's bubbles.
泡 (あわ) is the native Japanese word for physical bubbles and foam. バブル is a loanword used mainly for economic bubbles and metaphorical social bubbles. For soap bubbles, 泡 is more natural, though バブル can be used playfully.
While 泡 means bubble, it is not used for economic bubbles. Always use バブル for that meaning.
During the bubble economy, everyone was euphoric.
水中でぶくぶくと息を吐いた。
I blew bubbles underwater.