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.
Describing a substance, device, or situation that can explode or is designed to explode.
The most direct and common translation for 'explosive' as an adjective meaning 'capable of exploding'. Used for materials, gases, etc.
このガスは爆発性があります。
This gas is explosive.
Literally 'prone to explode'. Used when emphasizing the likelihood of explosion.
その化学物質は熱に弱く、爆発しやすい。
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.
火薬の専門家が処理した。
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.
警察が爆発物を発見した。
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.
その国は爆発的な経済成長を遂げた。
The country achieved explosive economic growth.
彼は爆発的な怒りを見せた。
He showed explosive anger.
Means 'rapid' or 'sudden', often used for growth or change. Less vivid than 爆発的な but very common.
人口の急激な増加が問題になった。
The explosive increase in population became a problem.
Means 'fierce' or 'violent', used for intense emotions or actions. Can translate 'explosive' in contexts like temper.
彼は猛烈な勢いで反論した。
He argued back with explosive force.
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.
両国の関係は一触即発の状態だ。
Relations between the two countries are explosive.
Means 'tense' or 'strained'. Used for atmospheres or situations that feel explosive.
会議室は緊迫した空気に包まれた。
The meeting room was filled with an explosive atmosphere.
Simply 'dangerous'. Can be used when 'explosive' means 'potentially disastrous'.
その地域は危険な状態にある。
The region is in an explosive state.
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.
日本語の「ぱ」は破裂音です。
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.
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.