Translation guide
The English word "explosive" can be an adjective describing something that can explode, or a noun referring to an explosive substance or device. It is also used figuratively to describe sudden, intense, or volatile situations. This guide covers these core meanings and their natural Japanese equivalents.
This gas is explosive.
Literally 'prone to explode'. Used when emphasizing the likelihood of explosion.
The chemical is sensitive to heat and explosive.
Means 'of gunpowder' or 'explosive' in the context of firearms or pyrotechnics. More specific than general explosiveness.
An explosives expert handled it.
Referring to a material or object that can cause an explosion, such as dynamite, bombs, etc.
General term for 'explosive' as a noun, covering bombs, dynamite, etc. Used in news and formal contexts.
The police found an explosive device.
Specifically 'gunpowder' or 'explosive powder'. Often used in historical or technical contexts.
Technical term for 'explosive' (as a substance), often used in engineering or military contexts.
Describing a rapid increase, outburst, or intense development, such as 'explosive growth' or 'explosive anger'.
The standard figurative translation for 'explosive' meaning sudden and intense. Used with nouns like growth, anger, popularity.
The country achieved explosive economic growth.
He showed explosive anger.
Means 'rapid' or 'sudden', often used for growth or change. Less vivid than 爆発的な but very common.
Means 'fierce' or 'violent', used for intense emotions or actions. Can translate 'explosive' in contexts like temper.
Describing a situation that could suddenly become violent or out of control.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'touch-and-go' or 'explosive situation', literally 'one touch and it explodes'. Very common for tense standoffs.
Relations between the two countries are explosive.
Means 'tense' or 'strained'. Used for atmospheres or situations that feel explosive.
Simply 'dangerous'. Can be used when 'explosive' means 'potentially disastrous'.
In phonetics, a consonant produced by stopping the airflow and then releasing it, like /p/, /t/, /k/.
The standard linguistic term for 'plosive' or 'explosive' consonant.
The Japanese 'pa' is an explosive sound.
While 爆発的な is the standard translation for figurative 'explosive', using it in every context can sound unnatural. For rapid growth, 急激な is often more natural. For a volatile situation, 一触即発の is idiomatic.
爆発物 is the broadest term for any explosive device or substance. 火薬 specifically refers to gunpowder or black powder. 爆薬 is a technical term for high explosives used in engineering or military contexts.
火薬の取り扱いには注意が必要だ。
Handling explosives requires caution.
トンネル工事で爆薬が使われた。
Explosives were used in the tunnel construction.
The explosive increase in population became a problem.
He argued back with explosive force.
The meeting room was filled with an explosive atmosphere.
The region is in an explosive state.