1.
the triple jump, a track-and-field event in which the athlete takes a hop, a step, and a jump into a sand pit; also, the act of performing such a jump
A track-and-field jumping event in which an athlete sprints down a runway and then executes three consecutive phases — a hop on one foot (landing on the same foot), a step onto the other foot, and a jump into a sand pit. The distance from the takeoff board to the athlete's nearest landing mark in the pit is measured. The word also appears figuratively to describe any motion or progress made in three successive leaps.
Literally "three-stage jump," from 三段 (three stages, three steps) + 跳び (jumping, the nominal form of 跳ぶ "to jump"). The three "stages" correspond to the hop, step, and jump phases of the event.
Common collocations
- 三段跳びの選手: triple-jump athlete
- 三段跳びで優勝する: to win the triple jump
- 三段跳びの記録: triple-jump record
- 三段跳びの世界記録: the world record in the triple jump
- 三段跳びで十五メートルを跳ぶ: to jump 15 meters in the triple jump
THE PHASES (in Japanese):
- ホップ (hop): takeoff from one foot and landing on the same foot
- ステップ (step): landing on the opposite foot
- ジャンプ (jump): final leap into the sand pit
Japanese coaches and commentators usually use these three English-derived terms even in Japanese-language coverage.
Related track and field terms
- 走り幅跳び: long jump — single running jump into a sand pit
- 走り高跳び: high jump — jumping over a raised bar
- 棒高跳び: pole vault
- 陸上競技: track and field
- 跳躍種目: jumping events (collective term)
Writing
Also written 三段跳び or 三段跳 (without the okurigana び, with 跳 read as a single unit). In official sports writing you will also see the form 三段跳 without the び. The form with okurigana is the most common in everyday writing.
Usage
Occasionally used figuratively to describe a three-step leap in progress or rank — for example, jumping from last place to first in three moves. This use is marked and colorful rather than routine.
Related Words
Related:
走り幅跳び (long jump)
Related:
走り高跳び (high jump)
Related:
棒高跳び (pole vault)
Related:
陸上競技 (track and field)