Japanese word

跳ぶ

Pronunciation

Romajitobu

Meaning

  • verbjump

Example

うさぎが跳びます。u sa gi ga to bi ma su

The rabbit jumps.

Illustration for 跳ぶ (jump)

More examples

子どもたちは合図を聞くと跳びます。ko do mo ta chi wa ai zu o ki ku to to bi ma su

The children jump when they hear the signal.

Core concept

Describes leaving the ground by pushing off with the feet, usually for a short movement through the air.

Common phrases

  • 高く跳ぶtaka ku to bu

    jump high

  • 片足で跳ぶkata ashi de to bu

    hop on one foot

Similar words

跳ねるhaneru: To spring up from a surface or move with repeated bounces.
飛ぶtobu: To move through the air after leaving the ground, or to travel in the air without touching it.

Definition in Japanese

足で地面を強く蹴り、体を空中に上げる。ashi de ji men o tsuyo ku ke ri karada o kū chū ni a ge ru

Word origin

跳ぶ (tobu) is a native Japanese verb, written with 跳 (chō, "jump") to mark the act of jumping rather than 飛ぶ (tobu), which commonly refers to flying.

Usage tips

  • In the children's activity なわとび (nawatobi), players 跳ぶ (tobu) over a turning rope, giving the verb a familiar connection with play.

Other meanings

  • leapverb
  • hopverb

Related words

  • 跳び方tobikataway of jumpingnoun

Word lists with this word