Physical bounce or spring of an object, such as a ball or a spring. Often used in phrases like 弾みがつく (to gain bounce/momentum).
Carried by the momentum of running, I tripped on a stone and fell.
The ball hit the ground and bounced up.
This spring has a strong bounce.
Figurative momentum or impetus that carries an action forward, often from a preceding event. Common in 弾みで (on the spur of the moment) and 弾みがつく (to gain momentum).
In the momentum of the conversation, I accidentally revealed the secret.
Once you succeed, the work gains momentum.
impulse; spur of the moment; chance
Refers to a momentary impulse or the instant when something happens, often used in the phrase 弾みで (on the spur of the moment, by chance).
I tripped on a slight impulse (by chance).
Our hands touched by chance (in the spur of the moment).
By a chance turn of events, I ran into an old friend.
勢い emphasizes force or vigor propelling something forward, while 弾み focuses on the bounce-like momentum that carries an action along.
拍子 often points to a rhythmic or coincidental moment ('at the moment when...'), whereas 弾み suggests a bounce-like trigger that sets an impulsive action off.
きっかけ is the general word for a trigger or cause of something, while 弾み specifically carries the nuance of momentum or an impulsive, unplanned start.
反動 describes a physical or emotional reaction or recoil, while 弾み is the bounce or spring of motion that often precedes such a reaction.
弾み (momentum, impetus, or a spur-of-the-moment happening) sounds similar to 励み but refers to physical or situational momentum, not emotional encouragement.
Standard kanji spelling for the physical bounce sense; also used for momentum and impulse senses, though kana is common for those.
Kana spelling is usual for the momentum and impulse senses.
Rarely used kanji form.
Derived from the verb 弾む (はずむ, to bounce, to be lively). The noun form 弾み nominalizes the action, carrying both literal and figurative senses of springing or gaining momentum.