พอง

Explanation

The core image is of something being pushed outward from within. Depending on the sentence, it can describe either the process of expanding or the resulting inflated state. With skin, it can refer to blistering caused by heat or friction. It also appears in common expressions such as ขนพอง, “one’s hair stands on end,” and ใจพองโต, describing a heart filled with happiness or pride. It is a common neutral word used in everyday Thai.

Usage

It is commonly used for balloons or bags expanding with air, the abdomen becoming distended, and skin blistering from burns or friction. In ขนพอง, it describes hair standing on end from fear or uneasiness.

Caution

For ordinary swelling caused by injury, inflammation, or fluid retention, บวม is usually more natural. To describe deliberately blowing air into something, use เป่า; พอง focuses on the expansion or inflated state. Do not confuse it with ฟอง, which means “bubble” or “foam.”

1 swell synonyms

• บวม

  buam swell

  บวม commonly refers to swelling caused by injury, inflammation, or fluid retention. พอง focuses more on outward expansion from within or on a raised blister.

• ฟู

  fuu rise and become fluffy

  ฟู often describes hair, fur, fabric, or food becoming fluffy or puffed up. พอง more generally describes something becoming expanded and taut from within.

• โป่ง

  pòoŋ swell

  โป่ง emphasizes a part bulging or sticking outward. พอง emphasizes expansion caused by pressure or material from within.