1.
to bounce; to spring
For a ball or elastic object to rebound when striking a surface.
ボールがよく弾む。
The ball bounces well.
ゴムのボールは高く弾む。
A rubber ball bounces high.
2.
to be lively; to be animated
For conversation, mood, or breathing to become energetic or excited.
会話が弾んで楽しかった。
The conversation was lively and fun.
子供たちが弾んだ声で話している。
The children are talking in lively voices.
走った後で息が弾んでいた。
I was out of breath after running.
久しぶりに会ったので話が弾んだ。
Since we hadn't seen each other in a while, the conversation was lively.
旅行のことを考えると心が弾む。
My heart leaps when I think about the trip.
3.
to be generous; to splurge
To be unusually generous with money, tips, or gifts.
今日は給料日だから、チップを弾んだ。
Since it's payday, I gave a generous tip.
お祝いだからと言って、いつもより弾んでくれた。
Saying it was a celebration, he was more generous than usual.
弾む is primarily an intransitive verb (自動詞) but can be transitive in sense 3.
ASPECT (ている):
弾んでいる indicates something is bouncing or a lively state continues.
PARTICLE PATTERNS:
- [object]が弾む — [object] bounces
- [conversation/mood]が弾む — [conversation/mood] becomes lively
- [tip/money]を弾む — to be generous with [money]
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ボールが弾む (ball bounces)
- 会話が弾む (conversation becomes animated)
- 息が弾む (breathing becomes heavy from exertion/excitement)
- 心が弾む (heart leaps with excitement)
IDIOMATIC EXPRESSION:
息を弾ませて (声を弾ませて) means "breathlessly" or "with an excited voice."
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 跳ねる: to jump, leap (more active)
- 弾む: to bounce, be lively (includes liveliness)