Translation guide
The English word "bulb" can refer to a light bulb, a plant bulb, or a bulb-shaped object. This guide covers how to express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
The standard word for a light bulb. Used in everyday conversation.
The light bulb burned out.
This bulb is an LED.
A bare light bulb, without a shade or fixture. Often used in descriptive contexts.
A bare bulb hung from the ceiling of the room.
Incandescent light bulb. Used when specifying the type, often in technical or shopping contexts.
Incandescent bulbs have been discontinued.
Referring to the underground storage organ of plants like onions, garlic, tulips, etc.
Referring to something shaped like a bulb, such as a thermometer bulb or a rubber bulb.
電球 (denkyū) only means light bulb. For plant bulbs, use 球根 (kyūkon). Using 電球 for a tulip bulb would be confusing.
A sprout came out of the bulb.
Lilies propagate through bulbs.