1.
soap bubble
A thin, shimmering sphere of soapy water blown into the air, popular as a children's plaything. シャボン derives from the Portuguese word for soap.
子供がシャボン玉を飛ばす。
The child blows soap bubbles.
公園でシャボン玉が風に乗ってふわふわと舞い上がった。
In the park, soap bubbles floated up on the breeze.
誕生日会では、大きなシャボン玉を作る実演が子供たちに大人気だった。
At the birthday party, the demonstration of making giant soap bubbles was a big hit with the children.
A children's toy of bubbles blown from soapy liquid. シャボン derives from Portuguese 'sabão' (soap), brought to Japan centuries ago.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- シャボン玉を飛ばす: to blow soap bubbles
- シャボン玉が割れる: a soap bubble pops
NUANCE:
Because the bubbles burst so easily, シャボン玉 is also a poetic image for something beautiful but fleeting, as in the well-known children's song of the same name.