Translation guide
The English verb "jump" covers a wide range of actions and figurative uses. In Japanese, different words are used depending on what is jumping, how, and in what context. This guide organizes the most common meanings and their natural Japanese equivalents.
To push oneself off the ground using one's legs, often over something or onto something.
General verb for jumping, leaping, or springing. Used for people and animals. Often implies a dynamic, energetic jump.
The child jumped over the puddle.
The cat jumped up onto the fence.
To jump around repeatedly, hop, or skip. Emphasizes a series of small jumps, often out of excitement.
The children are jumping around in the park.
Formal or literary term for a leap or bound. Used in sports commentary or descriptive writing.
The athlete showed a magnificent jump.
To leap from a higher place to a lower one, often with a sense of dropping.
To leap into a body of water, such as a pool, river, or sea.
To jump or dive into something, especially water. Also used figuratively for plunging into a situation.
He jumped into the pool.
To make a sudden involuntary movement because of shock or fright.
To jump up or start in surprise. Literally 'jump up', used for a startled reaction.
I jumped at the loud noise.
To flinch or startle; a sudden, small jump from surprise or fear. More about the flinch than the physical jump.
I jumped when someone suddenly tapped my shoulder.
To leap across an obstacle or gap.
To form an opinion or decision hastily without enough information.
To jump to a conclusion; to assume something prematurely. Literally 'quick agreement/understanding'.
Please don't jump to conclusions; nothing has been decided yet.
To make a hasty mistake or misjudgment; to jump to a wrong conclusion.
He jumped to the wrong conclusion and got angry.
To move ahead of others waiting in line unfairly.
To cut in line; to jump the queue. General verb for forcing one's way into a line or crowd.
Please don't jump the queue.
To eagerly accept or seize a chance.
To jump at (an offer, chance); to snatch eagerly. Literally 'jump and cling to'.
He jumped at the offer.
跳ぶ (とぶ) is used for jumping/leaping (using legs), while 飛ぶ (とぶ) is used for flying (through air). However, in some contexts 飛ぶ can be used for jumping when the focus is on moving through the air, e.g., 空中に飛ぶ (jump into the air). For most physical jumps, 跳ぶ is preferred.
English uses 'jump' in many phrasal verbs and idioms that do not translate directly. For example, 'jump start' is ジャンプスタート, 'jump rope' is 縄跳び (なわとび), and 'jump the gun' is フライングする or 早まる. Always consider the specific meaning before choosing a Japanese equivalent.
The cat jumped down from the roof.
He jumped off the bus.
彼は水たまりを飛び越した。
He jumped over the puddle.