Translation guide
Describes the action of rotating the body forward or backward, usually with hands touching the ground. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is でんぐり返し (forward roll), but other terms exist for specific types of somersaults.
A simple forward roll where you tuck your head and roll over your back, often done by children or in gymnastics.
The most common and casual word for a forward roll. Used especially for children's play or basic tumbling.
子供が芝生の上ででんぐり返しをした。
The child turned a somersault on the lawn.
Formal term for a forward roll, used in physical education or gymnastics contexts.
体育の授業で前転の練習をした。
We practiced forward rolls in PE class.
A roll performed backward over the shoulders, often more advanced than a forward roll.
Standard term for a backward roll, used in gymnastics and physical education.
後転ができるようになりたい。
I want to be able to do a backward roll.
A complete rotation of the body in the air without hands touching the ground, as in diving or gymnastics.
General term for a somersault performed in the air, such as a flip or aerial.
体操選手が美しい宙返りを披露した。
The gymnast performed a beautiful somersault in the air.
Back handspring; a backward flip with hands touching the ground briefly. Often used in cheerleading or street performance.
彼はバク転を軽々とやってのけた。
He easily did a back handspring.
Backflip without hands touching the ground; a more advanced aerial move.
バク宙が決まった！
He nailed the backflip!
A sideways rotation where the body moves like a wheel, with hands and feet touching the ground alternately.
Standard term for a cartwheel, used in gymnastics and physical education.
側転のやり方を教えてください。
Please teach me how to do a cartwheel.
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 school physical education or gymnastics. In casual conversation, でんぐり返し is more natural.
公園ででんぐり返しをして遊んだ。
We played doing somersaults in the park.
マット運動で前転を練習する。
Practice forward rolls in mat exercises.
宙返り specifically means a somersault in the air (flip). Using it for a ground roll like a forward roll would be incorrect and confusing.