Translation guide
The English word "puff" has several distinct meanings: a short burst of air or smoke, a light pastry, a swelling, and informal terms for breath or marijuana. This guide covers the most common and useful Japanese expressions for each meaning, organized from most to least frequent for learners.
Expressing a small, quick emission of air, smoke, or a short breath.
A single puff or blast, often used for wind or blowing.
He blew out the candle with one puff.
Onomatopoeic adverb for a short puffing sound, like blowing out air or a quick laugh.
He puffed out cigarette smoke.
Breath; can be used in contexts like "out of puff" meaning out of breath.
He came running, out of puff.
To puff out, blow out, or emit in a burst.
The chimney is puffing out smoke.
Loanword from English, used in specific contexts like makeup puffs or short bursts of air, but less common for the action.
She applied powder with a puff.
Referring to a type of pastry that puffs up when baked, like a cream puff or puff pastry.
Describing something that is swollen or puffed up, like a body part or fabric.
Swelling, puffiness, especially from injury or allergy.
The puffiness under my eyes won't go away.
A bulge or puff, like in clothing or a cushion.
Onomatopoeic for being puffed up or swollen tight.
Slang term for a marijuana cigarette.
A soft pad used to apply powder to the skin.
When 'puff' means a short breath or being out of breath, do not use パフ. Use 息 (いき) or phrases like 息を切らす (to be out of breath).
腫れ (はれ) is used for medical swelling (injury, allergy), while 膨らみ (ふくらみ) is for intentional or natural bulges (clothing, cushions).
このパイ生地はサクサクしている。
This puff pastry is flaky.
I baked a puff pastry.
そのスカートには膨らみがある。
The skirt has a puff.
泣いた後で目がぱんぱんだ。
My eyes are puffy after crying.
彼らはジョイントを回した。
They passed the puff around.