膨 (péng) - To swell & to expand

膨Tone 2

péng ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

柠七

膨 · péng

To swell;

to expand;

to puff up;

to inflate;

describing an increase in volume or size.

To swellto expandto puff up

Usage highlights

InflationEconomic inflationPuff upFluffy and lightExpansive forceSwelling agent

Synonyms

  • 胀— to swell; to distend
  • 肿— to swell (from injury or illness)

Antonyms

  • 缩— to shrink; to contract
  • 瘪— deflated; shrunken

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The balloon inflated (膨胀).
  • Economic inflation (通货膨胀).
  • The bread dough rose (膨起).
  • Puff pastry is light and flaky (膨松).

Collocations

  • Inflation(膨胀)
  • Economic inflation(通货膨胀)
  • Puff up(膨起)
  • Fluffy and light(膨松)
  • Expansive force(膨張力)
  • Swelling agent(膨脹剤)

Idioms

  • To inflate and swell(膨膨胀胀)
  • Head swollen with pride(头脑膨胀)
  • Inflationary pressure(膨胀压力)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in economic contexts to describe inflation, a key modern concern.
  • The character's radical (月, flesh/moon) relates to physical swelling or growth.
  • Commonly appears in food terminology for puffed or leavened products.

FAQ