Translation guide
The sport or activity of performing spins, jumps, and other movements on ice skates.
figure skating (sport)
Referring to the sport itself, as a discipline or activity.
The most common and direct loanword for the sport. Used in all contexts.
She is learning figure skating.
Shortened form, common in casual conversation and media.
I went to watch a figure skating competition.
Talking about a specific competition, show, or performance.
Literally 'figure skating match/competition'. Natural for sporting events.
There is a figure skating competition next month.
Uses 大会 (tournament/meet), slightly more formal than 試合.
An international figure skating tournament was held.
Expressing the action of participating in the sport.
Standard verb phrase using する with the loanword.
I figure skate on weekends.
Casual way to say 'do figure skating', using やる.
I used to do figure skating when I was a kid.
In everyday speech, フィギュア alone is very common and understood as figure skating, but in formal writing or official contexts, use the full フィギュアスケート.