Translation guide
The English word "plunge" has several distinct meanings: to jump or dive into something, to push something into something, to decrease suddenly, and to become involved in a situation. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each.
To express the action of jumping or diving into water or another liquid, often with force or suddenness.
The most common and natural verb for jumping or diving into water. It implies a sudden, forceful entry.
He plunged into the pool.
Describes entering water with momentum, similar to a plunge. More descriptive than 飛び込む.
She plunged into the ocean.
Loanword from English 'dive', used in sports or casual contexts. Less common than 飛び込む for general plunging.
He plunged into the lake.
To express the action of pushing or thrusting an object into something else, often quickly or deeply.
Means to thrust or stick something into something else. Can be used for plunging a hand into a pocket or a knife into something.
He plunged his hand into his pocket.
To insert or plug something in. Often used for plunging a plug into a socket or a key into a lock.
To sink or submerge something. Used when plunging an object into liquid to make it sink.
To express a sudden and significant drop in value, amount, or level.
Specifically means a sudden drop, often used for stock prices, temperatures, etc. The most direct equivalent for a sudden decrease.
Stock prices plunged.
Means a crash or collapse in prices. Stronger than 急落, implying a more dramatic plunge.
The market plunged.
Literally 'sudden descent', used for temperatures, altitudes, or figurative drops. Common for temperature plunges.
The temperature plunged.
An onomatopoeic expression for a sudden, sharp drop. More colloquial.
Sales plunged.
To express entering into a state, activity, or situation, often suddenly or deeply.
Metaphorically means to jump into a situation or activity. Very common for plunging into work, a new project, etc.
He plunged into the new project.
To immerse oneself in something, to be absorbed. Emphasizes deep involvement.
She plunged into her research.
Literally 'to start suddenly'. Used when plunging into an activity without preparation.
He plunged into the debate.
To express a sudden downward movement, such as falling from a height or a road descending steeply.
Used for sudden descents, such as an airplane plunging or a cliff plunging down.
The airplane plunged.
General word for falling or dropping. Can be used for a plunge from a height.
The rock plunged from the cliff.
To fall or tumble down, often accidentally. Used for a person plunging down stairs or a slope.
He plunged down the stairs.
飛び込む is used for jumping into a space or situation (water, a room, a project), while 突っ込む is for thrusting an object into something (hand into pocket, knife into something). Do not confuse them.
plunge into a pool (correct) / plunge into a pool (incorrect)
Avoid directly translating 'plunge' as a single Japanese word in all contexts. For example, 'plunge into debt' is not 借金に飛び込む but rather 借金に陥る or 借金まみれになる. Always consider the natural collocation.
He plunged into debt.
彼は鍵を錠に差し込んだ。
He plunged the key into the lock.
彼はバケツを水に沈めた。
He plunged the bucket into the water.