盛る
Meaning: To exaggerate or embellish — making a story, photo, or claim sound more impressive or dramatic than reality.
While the original meaning is to heap or pile up, the slang usage captures the act of piling on exaggeration. It's used in two main ways: embellishing stories (話を盛る) and enhancing photos with filters and editing (写真を盛る / 盛れる). The photo-editing usage became especially common with the rise of selfie culture and beauty apps like Snow and Ulike. The term is generally lighthearted — everyone does it — but can become critical when the exaggeration crosses into dishonesty.
Examples
- その話、だいぶ盛ってない? 那个故事,你是不是吹过了?Esa historia, ¿no la estás exagerando bastante?그 이야기, 꽤 부풀린(盛った) 거 아니야?
- 写真盛りすぎて本人と全然違うじゃん。 照片修太过了,跟本人完全不一样嘛。Has retocado tanto la foto que no te pareces en nada.사진 보정 너무 해서 본인이랑 완전 다르잖아.
- 武勇伝を盛るのはいいけど、バレるよ。 吹嘘自己的英勇事迹可以,但会穿帮的。Está bien adornar tus hazañas, pero al final te van a pillar.무용담을 부풀리는 건 좋지만, 들킬 거야.
Pronunciation
/mo.ɾɯ/
Usage Guide
Context: friends, social media, casual conversation
Tone: skeptical, teasing
✓ Do Say
- 絶対盛ってるでしょ、その話。 (You're definitely exaggerating that story.)那个故事你肯定在吹吧。(你那故事肯定夸大了。)Seguro que estás exagerando esa historia. (You're definitely exaggerating that story.)확실히 부풀리고 있지, 그 이야기. (그 이야기 분명 과장하고 있잖아.)
- このアプリ、めっちゃ盛れるよ。 (This app really makes you look good in photos.)这个APP拍照超级能美化。(这个APP拍照效果真的很好。)Esta aplicación te deja genial en las fotos. (This app really makes you look good in photos.)이 앱, 엄청 잘 나와. (이 앱 사진 진짜 잘 보정돼.)
✗ Don't Say
- フォーマルな場で「盛ってる」と言うのはカジュアルすぎる (Saying 'you're exaggerating' with 盛る is too casual for formal settings — use 誇張 instead)在正式场合说「盛ってる」太随意了(在正式场合用盛る来说'你夸大了'太口语了——应该用「誇張」)Decir 'estás exagerando' usando 盛る es demasiado coloquial para contextos formales — usar 誇張 en su lugar (Saying 'you're exaggerating' with 盛る is too casual for formal settings — use 誇張 instead)공식적인 자리에서 '盛ってる(부풀리고 있다)'라고 하는 것은 너무 격식 없다 (격식 있는 자리에서 盛る로 '과장하고 있다'고 말하는 것은 너무 캐주얼하다 — 대신 誇張(과장)을 쓸 것)
Common Mistakes
- Not distinguishing between the story-telling meaning (話を盛る) and the photo-editing meaning (写真を盛る) — both are common but used differently
- Confusing with the standard meaning of 盛る (to serve food / to pile up)
Origin & History
From the standard verb 盛る (moru, to pile up/heap). The figurative meaning of 'piling on exaggeration' became widespread in the 2000s-2010s, with the photo-editing meaning emerging alongside selfie culture and beauty apps.
Cultural Context
Era: 2000s-2010s (story exaggeration), 2010s-2020s (photo editing)
Generation: Gen Z and millennials
Social background: Universal informal
Regional notes: Used nationwide. The photo-editing meaning is especially common among young women.
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