How to say "swell" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 盛り上がるもりあがるgodan verb, intransitive verbFor swell as an upward rise or bulge: something swells by heaping or pushing up from a surface, like a bump rising on the skin or a mound of earth, rather than puffing outward.
- 高まるたかまるgodan verb, intransitive verbCovers swell in the figurative sense: feelings, tension, or enthusiasm that swells and rises. Use it when excitement or anticipation builds; it is not the word for a swollen ankle or inflamed skin.
- 膨らむふくらむgodan verb, intransitive verbThe broadest of these for swell in the sense of expanding or puffing out: balloons, cheeks, and clouds swell as they fill, and hopes or expectations can swell figuratively.
- 腫れるはれるichidan verb, intransitive verbCovers swell in the physical, medical sense: flesh becomes swollen from inflammation, injury, or infection. Think of a sprained ankle, an inflamed throat, or an insect bite swelling up.
- 膨れるふくれるichidan verb, intransitive verbLike 膨らむ, it covers swell (out), but it tends to picture something puffed or distended: a belly swollen after a big meal, or cheeks puffed out in a pout.
Use 「腫れる」 for swollen flesh, 「盛り上がる」 for something swelling or bulging upward, 「膨らむ」 and 「膨れる」 for things puffing out or inflating, and 「高まる」 for feelings or tension that swell figuratively.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 盛り上がるもりあがるto swell
- 高まるたかまるto rise
- 膨らむふくらむto expand
- 腫れるはれるto swell (from inflammation)
- 膨れるふくれるto swell (out)
- 膨らますふくらますto swell
- 高まりたかまりrise
- 波なみwave
- 隆起りゅうきprotuberance
- むくむto swell
- みなぎるto rise high (of water)
- スウェルswell
- 見栄坊みえぼうfop
- 波立つなみだつto be choppy (of waves)
- うねりswell (of waves)
- うねるto undulate
- 膨れ上がるふくれあがるto swell (of a budget, population, etc.)
- 張るはるto fill
See also
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