Explore 爆 in literal explosions and figurative bursts. Learn each reading in a complete word.

The idea

爆 has 19 strokes; follow the linked diagram. Its common on-reading is ばく, as in 爆発（ばくはつ）, 爆弾（ばくだん） and 爆笑（ばくしょう）. 爆発する means to explode.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingMeaning
爆発ばくはつexplosion
爆弾ばくだんbomb
爆笑ばくしょうburst of laughter

Examples

  • 工場こうじょうでガスが爆発ばくはつしました。The gas exploded in the factory.
  • 遠とおくで爆発ばくはつの音おとが聞きこえました。We heard an explosion in the distance.
  • その話はなしに観客かんきゃくが爆笑ばくしょうしました。The audience burst into laughter at the story.
  • その都市としの人口じんこうが爆発的ばくはつてきに増ふえました。The population of the city increased explosively.
  • 爆弾ばくだんの処理しょりチームが到着とうちゃくしました。The bomb disposal team arrived.
  • 火山かざんが爆発ばくはつするような音おとを立たてて噴火ふんかしました。The volcano erupted with an explosive sound.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

爆笑 describes a burst of laughter, not an actual explosion. Do not confuse 爆 with 暴: 爆 has the fire component 火 on the left.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 爆発 in hiragana.

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    ばくはつ

    爆発 is ばくはつ: an explosion; 爆発する means to explode.

  2. Write the reading of 爆笑 in hiragana.

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    ばくしょう

    爆笑 is ばくしょう: a burst of laughter, a figurative use of 爆.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿弾（ばくだん）［爆／暴］.

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    爆

    爆 completes 爆弾（ばくだん）, meaning bomb; its left side is 火.

Use it today

Write 爆 following the diagram, then cover the readings and say 爆発 and 爆笑 aloud. Make a sentence with one.