Translation guide
The English word 'dive' covers several distinct actions: jumping into water headfirst, swimming underwater, moving quickly downward, and figurative plunges into activities or states. Japanese uses different verbs for each, and the most natural choice depends on whether you're describing a sporty jump, scuba diving, a sudden drop, or a metaphorical dive.
Describing the action of leaping into water, typically with arms extended and head entering first, as in swimming or diving sports.
The most common and versatile verb for diving into water. It implies a dynamic, intentional jump into water, often headfirst. Can be used for pools, rivers, or the sea.
He dove into the pool.
The kids are playing, diving into the river.
A loanword from English, used in sports contexts like diving competitions or scuba diving. It sounds more modern and sporty, but is less common in everyday speech than 飛び込む.
He performed a dive in the high diving event.
Literally 'jump and cling to', but can be used figuratively for diving at something eagerly. Not used for diving into water.
Do not use for diving into water; it means to pounce on or grab eagerly.
The dog dove for the ball.
Moving through water while fully submerged, either by holding breath or using scuba equipment.
The standard verb for going underwater, whether diving for shellfish, swimming underwater, or submerging. It emphasizes the act of going beneath the surface.
I dove into the sea and saw fish.
Specifically refers to scuba diving or recreational diving with equipment. Very common in travel and hobby contexts.
I enjoyed diving in Okinawa.
A formal or technical term for underwater diving, often used in military, scientific, or professional contexts. Not for casual swimming.
The submarine dove.
Describing a rapid descent through the air, like a plane nosediving or a bird swooping down.
The standard term for a steep, rapid descent, used for aircraft, birds, or even figurative drops. It's a compound of 'sudden' and 'descend'.
The airplane dove.
The hawk dove toward its prey.
A more general phrase meaning 'to drop suddenly', used for prices, temperatures, or non-physical things. Less dramatic than 急降下.
The temperature dove.
Means 'to plunge into' or 'thrust into', and can describe a vehicle or person diving into something forcefully. Often used for crashing or charging in.
Figuratively diving into an activity, topic, or situation with energy and commitment.
The same verb as for jumping into water, used metaphorically for plunging into a new environment, project, or situation. Very common and natural.
He dove into his new job.
Means 'to immerse oneself in' or 'be absorbed in'. It emphasizes deep concentration on a task or hobby, rather than the initial plunge.
He's diving deep into his research.
To become deeply engrossed or hooked on something, often with a nuance of losing oneself in it. Slightly negative or obsessive connotation.
Describing a sharp decline in numbers, value, or condition.
Specifically for a sudden drop in prices, stock values, or economic indicators. Very common in news and business contexts.
Stock prices dove.
A stronger term meaning 'to crash' or 'plummet', used for dramatic market collapses.
The market dove.
A colloquial onomatopoeic phrase for a sudden, noticeable drop. Used for grades, performance, or informal contexts.
My test scores dove.
Deliberately falling or exaggerating contact to deceive a referee, especially in soccer.
飛び込む (tobikomu) is for the initial jump into water, often from a height or edge. 潜る (moguru) is for going underwater after entering, or for diving down while already in the water. Use 飛び込む for the splashy entry, and 潜る for the underwater movement.
I dove into the pool, then dove down to the bottom.
While ダイブ (daibu) is understood, it's mainly for sports, scuba, or trendy contexts. For everyday diving into water, 飛び込む is much more natural. Using ダイブ for jumping into a river can sound like you're trying to be cool or are a foreigner.
He dove into the pool.
I want to go scuba diving in Okinawa.
The stock market dove after the announcement.
He held his breath and dove deep.
車が店に突っ込んだ。
The car dove into the store.
I dove right into local life after studying abroad.
He dove headfirst into gambling.