Translation guide
The English word 'foam' refers to a mass of small bubbles, often on liquids or in materials. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 泡 (awa), but the translation depends on context: bubbles on a drink, lather from soap, sea foam, or foam material like styrofoam.
Describing a layer of small bubbles that forms on top of a liquid, such as the head on a beer, the froth on a cappuccino, or sea foam.
The general word for foam, froth, or bubbles on a liquid. Can be used for beer foam, soap bubbles, sea foam, etc.
ビールの泡がきめ細かい。
The foam on the beer is fine-textured.
波が引いた後、砂浜に白い泡が残った。
After the waves receded, white foam remained on the beach.
Refers to the formation or quality of foam/lather, often used for soaps, shampoos, or detergents.
このシャンプーは泡立ちがいい。
This shampoo lathers well.
A more literary or technical term for foam or bubbles, often used metaphorically for something fleeting.
人生は泡沫の夢のようだ。
Life is like a fleeting dream of foam.
Referring to the foam produced when washing with soap, shampoo, or detergent.
The same word 泡 is used for lather. Context makes it clear.
手に石けんの泡をつける。
Put soap foam on your hands.
Explicitly 'soap foam' to avoid ambiguity.
石けんの泡で顔を洗う。
Wash your face with soap foam.
Referring to a lightweight, spongy material used for insulation, packaging, or cushioning.
Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene). Commonly used for packaging and insulation.
発泡スチロールの箱に魚を入れる。
Put the fish in a styrofoam box.
Loanword from English, used for foam materials like foam rubber or memory foam. Often in compounds.
低反発フォームの枕。
A memory foam pillow.
Sponge, but often used for foam-like materials in cleaning or cushioning.
Describing frothy saliva around the mouth, often in extreme states.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'to foam at the mouth', used for literal frothing or figuratively for rage.
犬が口から泡を吹いている。
The dog is foaming at the mouth.
彼は怒って口から泡を吹きそうだった。
He was so angry he was almost foaming at the mouth.
泡 (awa) refers to bubbles or froth, not solid foam materials like styrofoam or foam rubber. Use 発泡スチロール or フォーム for those.
発泡スチロールは泡とは言わない。
Styrofoam is not called 'awa'.
スポンジ状の素材。
A sponge-like material.