Translation guide
How to express 'leap back' in Japanese, covering physical backward jumping and figurative returns.
To jump or spring backwards, often suddenly or with force.
General phrase for jumping backwards. '後ろに' means 'backwards' and '跳ぶ' means 'to jump/leap'.
猫が突然後ろに跳んだ。
The cat suddenly leaped back.
More formal or literary expression. '後方' means 'rearward/backward direction' and '跳躍' means 'leap/jump'.
選手は後方に跳躍して着地した。
The athlete leaped back and landed.
To jump back or aside to avoid something, often with a sense of urgency or evasion.
To return to a previous state, time, or topic, often suddenly or dramatically.
Means 'to return in one go' or 'to go back all at once', used for time, memories, or states.
その曲を聞くと、子供時代に一気に戻る。
When I hear that song, I leap back to my childhood.
The English phrase 'leap back' is often used figuratively (e.g., 'leap back in time'). In Japanese, direct translation of 'leap' (跳ぶ) is usually only for physical jumping. For figurative uses, prefer verbs like 戻る (return) or 逆戻りする (revert).
He leaped back sensing danger.
To go back, revert, or regress. Often used for returning to a previous, sometimes undesirable, state.
議論が振り出しに逆戻りした。
The discussion leaped back to square one.
A more literal figurative expression: 'to return as if leaping over'. Rare and poetic.
彼の思考は何年も跳び越えるように戻った。
His thoughts leaped back over many years.