Ever seen a cloud of dust rise all at once?
Or felt a wave of tears coming up suddenly?
That’s when you’ll hear the Japanese sound “Buwa!” (ぶわっ) —
a word that captures the moment something spreads, bursts, or rushes out all at once.
It’s the sound of a sudden swell — whether physical, emotional, or visual.
Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!
What is “Buwa” (ぶわっ)?
“Buwa” expresses something suddenly expanding or pouring out.
It’s used for:
- Visual effects: like smoke, steam, or petals scattering
- Emotions: tears welling up or someone starting to cry
- Surroundings: fog or dust spreading out at once
- Smells or sounds: bursting or rushing forth
This is a single-moment expression — often dramatic, gentle, or poetic.
Pronunciation
boo-wah
(Quick and wide — like something popping open or being released)
Category
Motion
What Does “Buwa” Look Like?
It looks like:
- A cloud of cherry blossom petals blowing out all at once
- Tears bursting from someone’s eyes
- A hot puff of steam from a bowl of ramen
- A dramatic burst of memory or realization in anime
How Do You Say It?
Say it quickly, with a soft explosion:
Buwa!!
Like steam gushing out from a lid,
or feelings rising and flowing all at once:
Buwa!!
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: Cherry blossoms scatter
The wind blew, and the petals burst out —
Buwa…
Example 2: Tears welling up
He heard her voice again,
and the tears came —
Buwa…
Cultural Note
“Buwa” is often seen in:
- Anime and manga when emotions rise suddenly
- Poetic or gentle storytelling
- Describing weather or natural events (fog, snow, steam)
It’s more visual and emotional than literal — you feel it, not just hear it.
Watch & Feel the “Buwa” World!
Feel the “Buwa” — A Big Kite
Try Using It!
When a memory overwhelms you…
When something flows or bursts out gently…
When describing a soft explosion of sound or light…
Try whispering it:
Buwa…
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