Translation guide
The English word 'dive' covers several distinct actions: jumping into water headfirst, swimming underwater, moving quickly downward, and figurative plunges into activities or states. Japanese uses different verbs for each, and the most natural choice depends on whether you're describing a sporty jump, scuba diving, a sudden drop, or a metaphorical dive.
Describing the action of leaping into water, typically with arms extended and head entering first, as in swimming or diving sports.
The most common and versatile verb for diving into water. It implies a dynamic, intentional jump into water, often headfirst. Can be used for pools, rivers, or the sea.
彼はプールに飛び込んだ。
He dove into the pool.
子供たちが川に飛び込んで遊んでいる。
The kids are playing, diving into the river.
A loanword from English, used in sports contexts like diving competitions or scuba diving. It sounds more modern and sporty, but is less common in everyday speech than 飛び込む.
彼は高飛び込みでダイブした。
He performed a dive in the high diving event.
Literally 'jump and cling to', but can be used figuratively for diving at something eagerly. Not used for diving into water.
Do not use for diving into water; it means to pounce on or grab eagerly.
犬がボールに飛びついた。
The dog dove for the ball.
Moving through water while fully submerged, either by holding breath or using scuba equipment.
The standard verb for going underwater, whether diving for shellfish, swimming underwater, or submerging. It emphasizes the act of going beneath the surface.
海に潜って魚を見た。
I dove into the sea and saw fish.
彼は息を止めて深く潜った。
He held his breath and dove deep.
Specifically refers to scuba diving or recreational diving with equipment. Very common in travel and hobby contexts.
沖縄でダイビングを楽しんだ。
I enjoyed diving in Okinawa.
A formal or technical term for underwater diving, often used in military, scientific, or professional contexts. Not for casual swimming.
潜水艦が潜水した。
The submarine dove.
Describing a rapid descent through the air, like a plane nosediving or a bird swooping down.
The standard term for a steep, rapid descent, used for aircraft, birds, or even figurative drops. It's a compound of 'sudden' and 'descend'.
飛行機が急降下した。
The airplane dove.
鷹が獲物に向かって急降下した。
The hawk dove toward its prey.
A more general phrase meaning 'to drop suddenly', used for prices, temperatures, or non-physical things. Less dramatic than 急降下.
気温が急に下がった。
The temperature dove.
Means 'to plunge into' or 'thrust into', and can describe a vehicle or person diving into something forcefully. Often used for crashing or charging in.
Figuratively diving into an activity, topic, or situation with energy and commitment.
The same verb as for jumping into water, used metaphorically for plunging into a new environment, project, or situation. Very common and natural.
彼は新しい仕事に飛び込んだ。
He dove into his new job.
留学してすぐに現地の生活に飛び込んだ。
I dove right into local life after studying abroad.
Means 'to immerse oneself in' or 'be absorbed in'. It emphasizes deep concentration on a task or hobby, rather than the initial plunge.
彼は研究に没頭している。
He's diving deep into his research.
To become deeply engrossed or hooked on something, often with a nuance of losing oneself in it. Slightly negative or obsessive connotation.
Describing a sharp decline in numbers, value, or condition.
Specifically for a sudden drop in prices, stock values, or economic indicators. Very common in news and business contexts.
株価が急落した。
Stock prices dove.
A stronger term meaning 'to crash' or 'plummet', used for dramatic market collapses.
市場が暴落した。
The market dove.
A colloquial onomatopoeic phrase for a sudden, noticeable drop. Used for grades, performance, or informal contexts.
テストの点ががくんと下がった。
My test scores dove.
Deliberately falling or exaggerating contact to deceive a referee, especially in soccer.
The loanword is used specifically for simulation or diving in sports. Often used with a negative connotation.
彼はペナルティエリアでダイブした。
He dove in the penalty area.
A plain description meaning 'to fall on purpose'. Not a fixed term, but clear in context.
彼はわざと倒れてファウルをもらおうとした。
He dove to try to get a foul.
飛び込む (tobikomu) is for the initial jump into water, often from a height or edge. 潜る (moguru) is for going underwater after entering, or for diving down while already in the water. Use 飛び込む for the splashy entry, and 潜る for the underwater movement.
プールに飛び込んでから、底まで潜った。
I dove into the pool, then dove down to the bottom.
While ダイブ (daibu) is understood, it's mainly for sports, scuba, or trendy contexts. For everyday diving into water, 飛び込む is much more natural. Using ダイブ for jumping into a river can sound like you're trying to be cool or are a foreigner.
彼はプールに飛び込んだ。
He dove into the pool.
沖縄でダイビングがしたい。
I want to go scuba diving in Okinawa.
発表後、株式市場が急落した。
The stock market dove after the announcement.
The car dove into the store.
彼はギャンブルにのめり込んだ。
He dove headfirst into gambling.