Translation guide
The English word 'leapfrog' can refer to a children's game, a physical jumping action, or a metaphorical act of surpassing someone or something. This guide covers how to express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
Referring to the game where children jump over each other's bent backs.
This is the standard Japanese word for the game 'leapfrog'. Literally 'horse jumping'.
子供たちが馬跳びをして遊んでいる。
The children are playing leapfrog.
Describing the action of jumping over someone or something in a leapfrog manner.
A general verb meaning 'to jump over' or 'to leap over'. Can be used for people or objects.
彼は柵を飛び越えた。
He leapfrogged over the fence.
A more descriptive phrase explicitly comparing the action to the game.
彼は馬跳びのように友達を飛び越えた。
He leapfrogged over his friend like in the game.
Metaphorically moving ahead of someone by skipping stages or by rapid advancement.
Means 'to overtake' or 'to pass'. Commonly used for surpassing others in competition, work, or progress.
彼はライバルを追い越してトップに立った。
He leapfrogged his rival to take the lead.
Literally 'to skip a grade'. Used when someone advances by skipping a level, especially in education or career.
彼女は飛び級して大学に入学した。
She leapfrogged into university by skipping a grade.
Means 'to advance by leaps and bounds' or 'to skip steps'. Emphasizes rapid, discontinuous progress.
その会社は一足飛びに業界トップに躍り出た。
The company leapfrogged to the top of the industry.
Means 'to get ahead of' or 'to beat someone to it'. Often used when someone takes an opportunity before others.
彼に先を越されて悔しい。
I'm frustrated that he leapfrogged me.
Bypassing an intermediate step, often in technology, development, or procedures.
Means 'to skip' or 'to omit'. Commonly used for skipping steps or stages.
その手順を飛ばしてはいけない。
You must not leapfrog that step.
Literally 'to jump over stages'. Emphasizes bypassing intermediate levels.
新技術が従来の段階を飛び越えて普及した。
The new technology leapfrogged traditional stages and spread.
The English word 'leapfrog' is not used as a direct loanword in Japanese. Avoid using リープフロッグ, as it is not commonly understood.
追い越す is used for physically passing someone or overtaking in a race or ranking. 先を越す is more about being preempted or beaten to an opportunity, often with a nuance of frustration.