Translation guide
The English word 'blister' refers to a small bubble on the skin filled with fluid, typically caused by friction, burning, or other injury. This guide covers how to express this concept naturally in Japanese, including common nouns, verbs, and related expressions.
Referring to a blister on the skin, such as from shoes rubbing or a burn.
The most common and general word for a blister. Literally 'water blister'. Used for blisters from friction, burns, etc.
新しい靴でかかとに水ぶくれができた。
I got a blister on my heel from my new shoes.
やけどで水ぶくれができてしまった。
I got a blister from a burn.
Commonly used for friction blisters, especially on hands or feet from physical activity. Can also mean callus, but context usually makes it clear.
テニスをしていたら手にまめができた。
I got a blister on my hand from playing tennis.
長い距離を歩いたので足にまめができた。
I walked a long distance and got blisters on my feet.
Specifically a blister from a burn. Literally 'fire blister'. Less common than 水ぶくれ.
熱い鍋に触れて火ぶくれができた。
I touched a hot pot and got a burn blister.
Describing the action of a blister forming or the skin blistering.
The most natural way to say 'to get a blister' or 'a blister forms'. Uses the noun 水ぶくれ with the verb できる (to form/appear).
靴擦れで水ぶくれができた。
I got a blister from shoe rubbing.
Used for friction blisters, similar to 水ぶくれができる but with まめ.
毎日練習したら手にまめができた。
I practiced every day and got blisters on my hands.
A verb form meaning 'to blister' or 'to become blistered'. Less common in everyday speech; more likely in written descriptions.
火傷した部分が水膨れしてきた。
The burned area started to blister.
Referring to a blister in packaging, like for pills, or a bubble in paint/material.
Loanword from English, used for blister packs (e.g., ブリスターパック) or bubbles in coatings. Common in technical contexts.
薬はブリスターパックに入っています。
The medicine is in a blister pack.
Means 'air bubble' and can be used for blisters in paint, resin, etc. Not for skin.
水ぶくれ is the general medical term for any fluid-filled blister. まめ is more colloquial and specifically refers to friction blisters from repeated rubbing, often on hands or feet. In many everyday situations they are interchangeable, but まめ might sound odd for a burn blister.
靴擦れで水ぶくれができた。
I got a blister from shoe rubbing. (natural with both 水ぶくれ and まめ)
やけどでまめができた。
I got a blister from a burn. (まめ is slightly less natural here; 水ぶくれ is preferred)
English often uses 'blister' as a verb (e.g., 'My skin blistered'). In Japanese, it's more natural to use the noun + できる (to form) rather than a direct verb. Avoid literal translations like 水ぶくれする in casual speech; it's acceptable but less common.
Bubbles formed in the paint.