気球(ききゅう)

ききゅう
noun
balloon; hot-air balloon
transportationleisure
1. balloon; hot-air balloon; aerostat
A large balloon that rises into the air by being filled with hot air or a lighter-than-air gas. Used for recreational flights, observation, and scientific research.
気球(ききゅう)に乗(の)ってみたい。
I want to try riding in a hot-air balloon.
朝(あさ)早(はや)く気球(ききゅう)が空(そら)に浮(う)かんでいた。
A hot-air balloon was floating in the sky early in the morning.
佐賀(さが)では毎年(まいとし)秋(あき)に国際(こくさい)気球(ききゅう)フェスタが開(ひら)かれ、世界中(せかいじゅう)から選手(せんしゅ)が集(あつ)まる。
In Saga, an international balloon festival is held every autumn, attracting participants from around the world.

A compound of 気(き) (air; gas) and 球(きゅう) (sphere; ball). Refers specifically to large balloons designed for flight, not small party balloons (風船(ふうせん)). The full term 熱気球(ねつききゅう) specifies a hot-air balloon, but 気球(ききゅう) alone usually implies this type.

Common collocations

  • 気球(ききゅう)に乗(の)る: to ride in a balloon
  • 熱気球(ねつききゅう): hot-air balloon
  • 気球(ききゅう)が飛(と)ぶ: a balloon flies
  • 気球(ききゅう)体験(たいけん): balloon ride experience
  • 気球(ききゅう)フェスタ: balloon festival

Similar words

  • 風船(ふうせん): balloon — a small inflatable balloon for play or decoration
  • 飛行船(ひこうせん): airship; blimp — a powered, steerable lighter-than-air craft

Cultural note

The 佐賀(さが)インターナショナルバルーンフェスタ is one of Asia's largest hot-air balloon events, held annually in Saga Prefecture.

Related Words

Compare: 風船(ふうせん) (balloon)
general
Added 2026.4.25 23:16 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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