Japanese word

潜水

Pronunciation

Romajisensui

Meaning

  • noundiving

Example

私は短時間だけ潜水しました。watashi wa tan ji kan da ke sen sui shi ma shi ta

I went underwater for only a short time.

Illustration for 潜水 (diving)

More examples

この湖では潜水が禁止されています。ko no mizuumi de wa sen sui ga kin shi sa re te i ma su

Diving is prohibited in this lake.

Core concept

潜水 (sensui) describes deliberately moving below the surface of water as an activity, skill, or operation.

Common phrases

  • 潜水中sen sui chū

    during a dive

  • 潜水を終えるsen sui o o e ru

    finish diving

Similar words

ダイビングdaibingu: A recreational or sporting activity that involves diving underwater.
素潜りsumoguri: Diving underwater without using breathing equipment.

Definition in Japanese

水中に潜ること。sui chū ni mogu ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 潜水 (sensui) combines 潜 (sen, "submerge") and 水 (sui, "water"), expressing movement under water.

Usage tips

  • In modern Japanese, 潜水 (sensui) has a formal or technical tone, so it appears more naturally in descriptions of underwater operations than in casual talk about recreation.

Related words

  • 潜水士sensuishidivernoun

Word lists with this word