Translation guide
To become larger, puffier, or more inflated, often due to injury, fluid, or a reaction. Japanese expressions vary by cause and body part.
To describe a body part becoming swollen due to injury, infection, or allergic reaction.
My ankle is swollen.
I got bitten by a bug and my arm swelled up.
Means to swell or bulge out, often used for a specific area puffing up. Can be used for body parts, but also for things like bread or balloons. Intransitive.
My cheek swelled up after being punched.
Specifically refers to swelling from water retention (edema), often in the face, hands, or legs. Common in morning puffiness or after standing for long periods.
When I woke up in the morning, my face was swollen/puffy.
Similar to 腫れる but often used for swelling from internal pressure or fullness, like a stomach bloating. Can also be used for swelling of the skin. Less common in daily conversation.
My stomach swelled up from overeating.
To describe eyes or face becoming puffy from crying.
To describe non-living things expanding or puffing up, often due to absorbing moisture or heat.
Means to expand or swell, often used in technical or physical contexts (thermal expansion, swelling of materials).
Wood swells up with moisture.
Also used for objects swelling or puffing up, like a balloon or bread dough. More everyday than 膨張する.
Specifically means to become waterlogged and swell, like wood or paper.
To describe a feeling of pride or emotion welling up inside.
Literally 'chest swells', used to express a feeling of hope, excitement, or anticipation filling one's heart.
My heart swells with anticipation for my new life.
Means 'chest fills with pride', a more literal description of swelling with pride.
腫れる is for injury/inflammation swelling. 膨らむ is for bulging or puffing out (can be body or objects). むくむ is specifically water retention puffiness, often temporary.
While 膨れる can mean swell, it's less common for medical swelling and may sound odd. Stick to 腫れる for injuries.
She had cried her eyes out (her eyes were swollen from crying).
パン生地が膨らんだ。
The bread dough swelled up.
The book got soaked and swelled up.
My heart swelled with pride at my son's success.