Translation guide
The English word "leap" can refer to a large jump, a sudden movement, a quick increase, or a figurative transition. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To jump a long distance or high into the air, often with force or grace.
A noun or suru-verb meaning a leap or bound, often used in sports or literary descriptions.
彼は跳躍して川を渡った。
He leaped across the river.
A general verb for jumping, but can imply a leap when context suggests a large jump.
猫が塀から塀へ跳んだ。
The cat leaped from fence to fence.
Literary or formal term for a leap or bound, often used figuratively for progress.
選手は飛躍してハードルを越えた。
The athlete leaped over the hurdle.
To move suddenly or quickly, often in a surprising way.
To jump out or spring out suddenly.
子供が茂みから飛び出した。
A child leaped out from the bushes.
To leap at or pounce on someone or something.
To leap out of bed; to spring up.
A sudden large increase in number, amount, or level.
A sharp increase or surge, often used for statistics or quantities.
売上が急増した。
Sales leaped.
To jump up or skyrocket, often used for prices or numbers.
A dramatic advance or leap forward, often in business or sports.
A sudden change, progress, or transition from one state to another.
A leap forward, often used for progress, career advancement, or conceptual jumps.
彼のキャリアは飛躍的に伸びた。
His career took a leap forward.
A big step, often used metaphorically for a significant advance.
この発見は科学の大きな一歩だ。
This discovery is a great leap for science.
Dramatic progress or a quantum leap.
技術が飛躍的進歩を遂げた。
Technology made a quantum leap.
An act of believing in or attempting something whose existence or outcome cannot be proved.
To take a leap of faith; literally 'believe and jump in'.
彼は信じて飛び込むことにした。
He decided to take a leap of faith.
To do something decisively, taking a risk.
思い切って転職した。
I took a leap and changed jobs.
The extra day or year in the calendar.
Leap year.
今年はうるう年です。
This year is a leap year.
Leap day (February 29th).
跳躍 (chōyaku) is a formal or literary term. In casual speech, use 跳ぶ (tobu) or more specific verbs like 飛び出す (tobidasu) for sudden movements.
跳躍 (chōyaku) is primarily physical jumping, while 飛躍 (hiyaku) is often figurative (progress, advancement). However, both can overlap in literary contexts.
犬が泥棒に飛びかかった。
The dog leaped at the burglar.
彼はベッドから跳ね起きた。
He leaped out of bed.
物価が跳ね上がった。
Prices leaped.
会社は業界で躍進を遂げた。
The company made a leap in the industry.
Leap day comes once every four years.