Translation guide
The English verb "inflate" covers physical inflation (with air), figurative increase (prices, numbers), and exaggeration. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being inflated and whether it's literal or metaphorical.
I inflated the balloon.
Literally 'put air in'. A very common, casual way to say inflate, especially for tires, balls, and inflatable items.
I inflated the tire.
Technical or formal term for causing expansion, often used in scientific contexts or for materials expanding due to heat/pressure.
Heat the gas to inflate it.
To cause prices, costs, statistics, or values to rise, often implying an unnatural or excessive increase.
To push up or inflate prices, bids, or values artificially. Often used in economic contexts.
Demand inflated the prices.
To inflate numbers or figures dishonestly, like padding expenses or exaggerating data.
He inflated his expenses.
Intransitive verb meaning to swell or expand. Can be used for budgets, deficits, or numbers growing on their own.
To make a story, achievement, or quality seem larger or more impressive than it really is.
To become larger or filled with air on its own, without an agent causing it.
Both mean to inflate with air, but 膨らませる focuses on the object expanding, while 空気を入れる focuses on the action of putting air in. For everyday items like tires and balls, 空気を入れる is more common.
Please inflate the ball.
膨らませる is physical inflation. For inflating prices or figures, use つり上げる or 水増しする instead. Using 膨らませる for numbers sounds unnatural.
赤字が膨らんでいる。
The deficit is inflating.