noun
soap ball
A solid ball made of soap, often used for washing or as a craft item. Less common than the bubble sense.
手作りの石けん玉をプレゼントした。
I gave a handmade soap ball as a present.
noun
soap bubble
A bubble made from soapy water; the more common meaning. Sometimes read しゃぼんだま, which is a variant reading influenced by シャボン玉.
See also: シャボン玉
子供たちが公園で石けん玉を飛ばしていた。
The children were blowing soap bubbles in the park.
石けん玉がきれいに光っていた。
The soap bubble was shining beautifully.
More common word for 'soap bubble'; 石けん玉 is a less frequent synonym, sometimes read しゃぼんだま by association.
Compound of 石けん (soap) and 玉 (ball). The reading しゃぼんだま for the bubble sense is influenced by the more common synonym シャボン玉.