Translation guide
The sport or action of running and jumping over hurdles. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the borrowed term ハードル競走 or the native phrase 障害物競走, but the context (track event vs. general obstacle race) matters.
The specific athletic event where runners jump over a series of hurdles on a track.
The standard term for the track event. ハードル is a loanword from English, and 競走 means 'race'.
彼はハードル競走で金メダルを取った。
He won a gold medal in the hurdling event.
Literally 'obstacle race'. Can refer to hurdling in track, but also used for steeplechase or other obstacle events. Less specific than ハードル競走.
障害競走はオリンピックの正式種目です。
Hurdling is an official Olympic event.
Often used alone to mean 'hurdles' or 'hurdling' in casual conversation, especially among athletes.
今日の練習はハードルだ。
Today's practice is hurdling.
The act of jumping over hurdles or obstacles, not necessarily in a formal race.
A general phrase meaning 'to jump over obstacles'. Can be used for hurdling in a non-competitive context.
子供たちは公園で障害物を飛び越えて遊んだ。
The children played by hurdling over obstacles in the park.
Literally 'to jump hurdles'. A straightforward way to describe the action, using the loanword ハードル.
彼は軽々とハードルを跳んだ。
He hurdled effortlessly.
Metaphorically dealing with difficulties or challenges.
A common metaphor meaning 'to overcome a hurdle/difficulty'. ハードル is used figuratively.
就職活動では多くのハードルを乗り越えなければならない。
You have to overcome many hurdles in job hunting.
Literally 'to overcome obstacles'. More formal and less directly tied to the sport metaphor.
彼は多くの障害を乗り越えて成功した。
He succeeded by hurdling many obstacles.
ハードル競走 specifically refers to track hurdling events (110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, etc.). 障害物競走 is a broader term that can include steeplechase, obstacle course races, or even children's sack races. In sports contexts, ハードル is the most common and natural choice.
While ハードル can be used metaphorically, it's often paired with 乗り越える (overcome) or 越える (clear). Using ハードル alone to mean 'difficulty' may sound unnatural. Stick to 障害 (obstacle) for general challenges unless you're intentionally using a sporty metaphor.
彼女はハードル競走の練習をしている。
She is training for hurdling.
ハードル競走にはスピードと技術が必要だ。
Hurdling requires speed and technique.