Translation guide
A somersault is an acrobatic movement where the body rolls forward or backward, with the head going down and the feet going over the head. In Japanese, the most common word is でんぐり返し (forward roll), but there are different terms for forward/backward, in the air, and in martial arts contexts.
A basic forward roll where you tuck your head and roll along the ground.
The most common, everyday word for a forward somersault/roll. Used especially by children and in casual contexts.
The children are doing somersaults in the park.
Formal term for a forward roll, often used in gymnastics or physical education.
We practiced forward rolls in PE class.
Verb form meaning 'to do a somersault'. Less common than the noun form.
I did a somersault on the grass.
A roll where you go backwards over your head.
An acrobatic flip performed in the air, such as a front flip or backflip.
General term for an aerial somersault or flip. Can refer to front flips, backflips, etc.
The gymnast performed a beautiful somersault in the air.
Specifically a front flip.
A front flip is a difficult move.
Specifically a backflip.
Common term for a back handspring or backflip, often used in street gymnastics or casual contexts.
I practice backflips every day.
A forward or backward roll used in martial arts like judo or aikido to break a fall.
The general term for breakfall techniques, which include rolling forward/backward to absorb impact.
In judo, you first learn how to break your fall.
Specifically a forward breakfall/roll.
Practice forward breakfalls.
Specifically a backward breakfall/roll.
I did a good backward breakfall.
でんぐり返し is the everyday word for a forward roll, often used by children. 前転 is the formal term used in gymnastics or physical education. In casual conversation, でんぐり返し is more natural.
When I was a child, I often played doing somersaults.
In the test, we will do forward rolls and backward rolls.
In diving, a somersault is called 回転 (かいてん) or specifically 宙返り, but the scoring terminology uses numbers like '1回転半' (one and a half somersaults). For general diving flips, 宙返り is understood.
He executed a perfect backflip.