Usage note
炸可以表示东西突然破裂，比如气球或鞭炮。
Zhà kěyǐ biǎoshì dōngxi tūrán pòliè, bǐrú qìqiú huò biānpào.
Explode can mean something suddenly bursts, like a balloon or firecracker.
Context note
在庆祝节日时，人们会放鞭炮，但要注意安全，不要靠近炸开的地方。
Zài qìngzhù jiérì shí, rénmen huì fàng biānpào, dàn yào zhùyì ānquán, bùyào kàojìn zhà kāi de dìfang.
During holiday celebrations, people set off firecrackers, but be careful and don't get close to where they explode.
5 examples
气球炸了，声音很大。
qì qiú zhà le， shēng yīn hěn dà。
The balloon exploded, and the sound was very loud.
鞭炮在院子里炸开了。
biān pào zài yuàn zi lǐ zhà kāi le。
The firecracker exploded in the yard.
小心，别让气球炸到你的脸。
xiǎo xīn， bié ràng qì qiú zhà dào nǐ de liǎn。
Be careful, don't let the balloon explode near your face.
烟花在空中炸出美丽的图案。
yān huā zài kōng zhōng zhà chū měi lì de tú àn。
The fireworks exploded in the sky into beautiful patterns.
那个玩具车撞到墙后炸了。
nà ge wán jù chē zhuàng dào qiáng hòu zhà le。
That toy car exploded after hitting the wall.
5 mini stories
小刚吹了一个大红色气球。他不小心坐上去，气球炸了，吓了他一跳。
xiǎo gāng chuī le yí gè dà hóng sè qì qiú。 tā bù xiǎo xīn zuò shàng qù， qì qiú zhà le， xià le tā yí tiào。
Xiaogang blew up a big red balloon. He accidentally sat on it, and the balloon exploded, startling him.
新年到了，爸爸放了一个鞭炮。鞭炮炸响后，大家都拍手欢呼。
xīn nián dào le， bà ba fàng le yí gè biān pào。 biān pào zhà xiǎng hòu， dà jiā dōu pāi shǒu huān hū。
New Year arrived, and Dad set off a firecracker. After the firecracker exploded, everyone clapped and cheered.
小美在厨房里爆米花，玉米粒在锅里炸开，变成了好吃的爆米花。
xiǎo měi zài chú fáng lǐ bào mǐ huā， yù mǐ lì zài guō lǐ zhà kāi， biàn chéng le hǎo chī de bào mǐ huā。
Xiaomei made popcorn in the kitchen, and the corn kernels exploded in the pot, turning into tasty popcorn.
公园里有人放烟花，烟花炸开时像一朵大花。孩子们仰头看，非常高兴。
gōng yuán lǐ yǒu rén fàng yān huā， yān huā zhà kāi shí xiàng yì duǒ dà huā。 hái zi men yǎng tóu kàn， fēi cháng gāo xìng。
Someone set off fireworks in the park, and when the fireworks exploded, they looked like a big flower. The children looked up and were very happy.
小华玩水气球，扔到地上，气球炸了，水溅得到处都是。
xiǎo huá wán shuǐ qì qiú， rēng dào dì shàng， qì qiú zhà le， shuǐ jiàn dé dào chù dōu shì。
Xiaohua played with water balloons, threw one on the ground, and the balloon exploded, splashing water everywhere.
Mini dialogue
注意安全
A
那个气球怎么破了？
Nàge qìqiú zěnme pò le?
How did that balloon pop?
B
吹得太大了，就炸了。
Chuī de tài dà le, jiù zhà le.
It was blown up too big, so it burst.
厨房帮忙
A
妈妈在做什么？
Māma zài zuò shénme?
What is mom making?
B
她在炸鸡腿，很香。
Tā zài zhà jītuǐ, hěn xiāng.
She is frying chicken legs, smells great.
Related words and contrasts
similar
爆炸
bàozhà
explosion; explode
A more formal word for explode.
contrast
炸鸡
zhájī
fried chicken
Same character 炸 but pronounced zhá, meaning deep-fry. Not related to explosion.
related
安全
ānquán
safe; safety
Important to remember safety when talking about explosions.