aufgeblasen

Aufgeblasen is the past participle of the German verb aufblasen and functions as an adjective with two main senses. Literally, it describes something that has been inflated with air or another gas. In everyday usage this can be seen in phrases like Der Ballon ist aufgeblasen, or Die Luftmatratze ist aufgeblasen, where it denotes a physical expansion or readiness for use. In technical or medical contexts the term may also appear to indicate a part that is swollen or distended due to gas or air.

Figuratively, aufgeblasen conveys a sense of puffiness, pompousness, or self-importance. It is commonly used to describe rhetoric, behavior, or people that appear inflated beyond their merits. For example, eine aufgeblasene Rede or ein aufgeblasener Politiker points to pretentious, self-important style or claims. The figurative use carries a negative or ironic tone and is more common in colloquial or journalistic language.

Etymology and grammar: the word is formed from auf- (a prefix indicating up, completion, or intensification) and blasen (to blow). The participle is typically used with haben in perfect tenses for transitive constructions (Ich habe den Ballon aufgeblasen), while predicative uses can occur in sentences like Der Ballon ist aufgeblasen.

In sum, aufgeblasen describes both literal inflation and a figurative sense of inflated self-importance, with the former being neutral and the latter carrying a critical or humorous nuance.