Translation guide
The English word 'bursting' can describe something suddenly breaking open from internal pressure, being extremely full, or a sudden onset of an action or emotion. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these different meanings.
The pipe burst and water gushed out.
Means 'to explode' rather than just burst; implies a violent release of energy, often with fire or loud noise.
ガス管が爆発した。
The gas pipe burst/exploded.
Literally 'to tear from being stretched'; used for something bursting under tension, or metaphorically for a heart bursting with emotion.
胸が張り裂けそうだ。
My heart is about to burst.
To describe being so full of something (liquid, people, emotion) that it seems about to overflow or break.
A versatile pattern meaning 'full of ~'. Can be used for physical fullness or emotions.
会場は人でいっぱいだ。
The venue is bursting with people.
彼女は喜びでいっぱいだった。
She was bursting with joy.
Means 'overflowing with ~', often used for emotions or a place filled with people/things.
彼の目は涙であふれていた。
His eyes were bursting with tears.
市場は活気であふれている。
The market is bursting with energy.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'about to burst', often used for clothes that are too tight or a feeling of being stuffed.
お腹がはちきれそうだ。
My stomach is about to burst.
このズボンははちきれそうだ。
These pants are bursting at the seams.
Means 'full to capacity', used for containers or spaces. Not typically used for emotions.
To describe a sudden, uncontrollable onset of an action or state.
A general pattern meaning 'to suddenly start doing ~'. Can be used for laughing, crying, etc.
彼女は突然笑い出した。
She burst out laughing.
子供は突然泣き出した。
The child burst into tears.
Means 'to burst into laughter' or 'roar with laughter'. More intense than just laughing.
観客は爆笑した。
The audience burst into laughter.
Literally 'fire catches', used for something bursting into flames.
車が突然火がついた。
The car suddenly burst into flames.
An onomatopoeic expression for suddenly bursting into loud crying.
彼女はわっと泣き出した。
She burst into tears.
To describe entering a place suddenly and forcefully.
Means 'to jump/dive into', often used for bursting into a room or water.
彼は部屋に飛び込んできた。
He burst into the room.
Means 'to force one's way in', often used for burglary or intruding.
Means 'to barge in' or 'trespass', often used for interrupting an event.
ファンがステージに乱入した。
Fans burst onto the stage.
English uses 'bursting' in many idiomatic ways (e.g., 'bursting with pride'). Direct translation often sounds unnatural. Use the patterns above based on the intended meaning.
破裂 (rupture) is for bursting due to internal pressure without fire/explosion (balloon, pipe). 爆発 (explosion) implies a violent blast with fire or shockwave (bomb, gas).
バケツは水で満杯だ。
The bucket is bursting with water.
強盗が家に押し入った。
The robber burst into the house.