Translation guide
The sport or activity of performing spins, jumps, and other movements on ice skates.
フィギュアスケート
figure skating (sport)
Referring to the sport itself, as a discipline or activity.
The most common and direct loanword for the sport. Used in all contexts.
彼女はフィギュアスケートを習っています。
She is learning figure skating.
Shortened form, common in casual conversation and media.
フィギュアの試合を見に行った。
I went to watch a figure skating competition.
Talking about a specific competition, show, or performance.
Literally 'figure skating match/competition'. Natural for sporting events.
来月、フィギュアスケートの試合があります。
There is a figure skating competition next month.
Uses 大会 (tournament/meet), slightly more formal than 試合.
国際フィギュアスケート大会が開催された。
An international figure skating tournament was held.
Expressing the action of participating in the sport.
Standard verb phrase using する with the loanword.
週末にフィギュアスケートをします。
I figure skate on weekends.
Casual way to say 'do figure skating', using やる.
子供の頃、フィギュアをやっていた。
I used to do figure skating when I was a kid.
In everyday speech, フィギュア alone is very common and understood as figure skating, but in formal writing or official contexts, use the full フィギュアスケート.