Translation guide
The English word 'diving' can refer to several distinct activities: plunging into water headfirst, swimming underwater (often with equipment), or the sport of jumping from a board or platform. This guide focuses on the most common meanings for learners.
To jump into water headfirst, often from a poolside or diving board.
General verb for jumping or diving into water. Can be used for any headfirst entry.
彼はプールに飛び込んだ。
He dove into the pool.
Loanword from English, often used in sports or casual contexts.
高いところからダイブするのは気持ちいい。
It feels great to dive from a high place.
Swimming underwater using breathing apparatus (scuba) or just holding breath.
Most common term for scuba diving or recreational underwater diving.
沖縄でダイビングを楽しんだ。
I enjoyed diving in Okinawa.
Free diving or skin diving without breathing apparatus.
The competitive sport of performing acrobatics while diving into water.
Refers to the sport of diving, often used in compound words like 飛び込み競技.
飛び込みの選手は練習が大変だ。
Diving athletes train very hard.
Also used for the sport, especially in international contexts.
飛び込む is a general verb for jumping/diving into water, while ダイビング usually implies scuba diving or the sport. Using ダイビング for a simple jump into a pool can sound unnatural.
More technical term for scuba diving, often used in official contexts.
スクーバダイビングのライセンスを取った。
I got a scuba diving license.
He catches fish by free diving.
I watched the Olympic diving event.