Inklingo

How to Say "bubble" in Spanish

English → Spanish

burbuja

boor-BOO-hahbuɾˈbu.xa

nounA2general
Use 'burbuja' for a literal sphere of air or gas in a liquid or for economic or social phenomena.
A single iridescent soap bubble floating in the clear blue sky.

Examples

Mira las burbujas de jabón en el aire.

Look at the soap bubbles in the air.

El agua está caliente porque están saliendo burbujas.

The water is hot because bubbles are coming out.

Me encanta el baño de burbujas.

I love bubble baths.

La burbuja inmobiliaria estalló hace años.

The housing bubble burst years ago.

A feminine noun

Always use 'la' or 'una' with this word. For example: 'la burbuja' (the bubble).

Metaphorical use

Just like in English, this word describes things that are fragile or inflated and likely to break.

Pronunciation of J

Mistake: “Pronouncing 'burbuja' with a soft 'h' sound like 'English hi'.”

Correction: The 'j' in Spanish is a stronger, raspier sound from the back of the throat, like the 'ch' in 'Loch Ness'.

burbuja

boor-BOO-hahbuɾˈbu.xa

nounB2general
Use 'burbuja' for abstract concepts like economic inflation or social isolation.
A single iridescent soap bubble floating in the clear blue sky.

Examples

La burbuja inmobiliaria estalló hace años.

The housing bubble burst years ago.

Mira las burbujas de jabón en el aire.

Look at the soap bubbles in the air.

El agua está caliente porque están saliendo burbujas.

The water is hot because bubbles are coming out.

Me encanta el baño de burbujas.

I love bubble baths.

A feminine noun

Always use 'la' or 'una' with this word. For example: 'la burbuja' (the bubble).

Metaphorical use

Just like in English, this word describes things that are fragile or inflated and likely to break.

Pronunciation of J

Mistake: “Pronouncing 'burbuja' with a soft 'h' sound like 'English hi'.”

Correction: The 'j' in Spanish is a stronger, raspier sound from the back of the throat, like the 'ch' in 'Loch Ness'.

vejiga

be-HEE-gahbeˈxiɣa

nounB1general
Use 'vejiga' specifically for a pocket of air or fluid that forms within a material, like a blister on skin.
A close-up of a small, clear fluid-filled bubble on the surface of a finger.

Examples

Me salió una vejiga en el talón por los zapatos nuevos.

I got a blister on my heel from my new shoes.

No te rompas la vejiga, se puede infectar.

Don't pop the blister; it could get infected.

La pintura tiene vejigas por el calor.

The paint has bubbles because of the heat.

The verb 'Salir'

To say you 'got' a blister, Spanish uses 'salir' (to come out). We say 'Me salió una vejiga' (A blister came out on me).

Regional Confusion

Mistake: “Using 'vejiga' in Spain for a blister.”

Correction: In Spain, 'vejiga' almost always means the organ. Use 'ampolla' for a skin blister to avoid confused looks.

Burbuja vs. Vejiga

Learners often confuse 'burbuja' and 'vejiga'. Remember that 'burbuja' refers to a literal bubble in air/liquid or figurative economic bubbles, while 'vejiga' is specifically for a pocket of air/fluid within a material, such as a blister.

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