jump

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is ちょう, and the kun readings are はねる and とぶ. It has 13 strokes and relates to jumping, leaping, or splashing.
• Basic usage: 跳ぶ is read とぶ, and 跳ねる is read はねる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 跳ぶ / 跳ねる
  • 跳ぶ means to jump or to leap and is read とぶ. It describes jumping a distance or leaping over an obstacle.
  • 選手は助走をつけて遠くへ跳んだ。 means “The athlete took a running start and jumped a long distance.”
  • 跳ねる means splash or leap and is read はねる. It describes a fish leaping or water or mud splashing.
  • 水面から魚が勢いよく跳ねた。 means “A fish leaped vigorously from the water.”