バブル
Meanings
1
Refers to a small bubble of air or gas, especially in katakana-style contexts such as products, technology, or descriptions of fine bubbles; 泡 and 気泡 are also common depending on context.
This face wash removes dirt with fine bubbles.
2
bubble economy; economic bubble
abbreviation
Abbreviation of バブル経済. Common in expressions such as バブルが崩壊する, バブル期, and バブル時代, especially when referring to Japan's late-1980s asset-price boom.
See also: バブル経済
The bubble economy collapsed, and land prices plunged.
My father was working in Tokyo during the bubble period.
Usage patterns
- バブルがはじけるfor an economic bubble to burst
The economic bubble burst in the early 1990s.
- バブルが浮くfor (physical) bubbles to float up in a liquid
Bubbles are floating up inside the glass.
- バブルに乗るto ride an economic boom for profit
He rode the bubble economy and rapidly increased his assets.
- バブルが膨らむfor an economic bubble to inflate
The bubble inflated as real estate prices rose.
Expressions
- バブル崩壊collapse of a bubble economy; economic bubble burst