爆発

• Reading: ばくはつ
• Romaji: bakuhatsu
• Kanji breakdown: 爆 (baku) — bomb, burst, explode; 発 (hatsu) — emit, discharge
• Pronunciation: /ba.kɯ.ha.tsɯ/

Meaning

Explosion; detonation; eruption. A sudden and violent release of energy.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (爆発する). Used literally for physical explosions (bomb, gas, volcano) and figuratively for emotional outbursts (怒りが爆発する, anger erupts), population booms (人口爆発), and sudden surges of activity. Related terms: 爆発的 (explosive, as na-adjective), 爆弾 (bomb), 自爆 (self-destruction).

Examples

1. ガス漏れが原因で工場が爆発した。 The factory exploded due to a gas leak.
2. ストレスがたまって最後に感情が爆発してしまった。 Stress built up and my emotions finally exploded.
3. 火山の爆発で近くの住民が避難した。 Nearby residents evacuated because of the volcanic eruption.

Usage Guide

Context: news, science, emotions

Tone: dramatic

Origin & History

Compound of 爆 (baku, burst/explode) and 発 (hatsu, emit/discharge). Together, 'bursting forth' — the sudden violent release of contained energy.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal