How to say "diving" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 潜水せんすいnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe general word for diving or submerging underwater, as in underwater work or diving as an activity. Use this when talking about going beneath the water's surface.
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe loanword for diving as a leisure activity or sport, especially scuba diving. It is a natural, everyday way to say 'diving' when the activity itself is meant.
- nounCovers diving but also means a diver, with an informal feel. It is a rather casual or marginal choice for the activity; often the person rather than the act is meant.
- nounRefers to diving in the sports sense: simulating a foul to deceive the referee, also called flopping. This is never the word for diving into water; it is really about faking.
Use 潜水 or 「ダイビング」 for going underwater, 「もぐり」 for a diver or informal diving, and 「シミュレーション」 only for the sports sense of faking a foul.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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