Translation and Meaning of: 宙返り - chuugaeri

If you have ever watched an anime or Japanese game with action scenes, you have probably heard the word 宙返り (ちゅうがえり). But what does it mean exactly? In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and use of this word in everyday Japanese, as well as understand how it appears in cultural and sports contexts. If you are studying Japanese or just curious about unique expressions, this guide from Suki Nihongo will help you uncover the details of 宙返り.

Meaning and Translation of 宙返り

The word 宙返り (ちゅうがえり) is composed of two kanji: 宙 (ちゅう), which means "sky" or "airspace," and 返り (かえり), which comes from the verb 返る (かえる), meaning "to go back" or "to return." Together, they form the term that describes an acrobatic movement in the air — more specifically, a "flip" or "aerial somersault."

In English, the most common translation is "somersault" or "backflip," depending on the context. In Portuguese, we usually use "mortal" or "cambalhota no ar." It's worth noting that, although it is often associated with sports and martial arts, the word can also appear in everyday situations, such as in children's games or circus performances.

Cultural Use and Frequency in Japanese

In Japan, 宙返り is a relatively common word, especially in sports contexts. It frequently appears in gymnastics competitions, martial arts such as judo, and even in extreme sports like parkour. Additionally, action anime and manga often use the term to describe the agile movements of characters during fights or chase scenes.

Culturally, the ability to perform a 宙返り is seen as a symbol of physical skill and courage. In traditional festivals, there are sometimes presentations of acrobatics that include flips, reinforcing the link of the word with demonstrations of skill. If you've ever seen a judo competitor or an anime fighter performing a spectacular jump, it was likely a 宙返り in action.

How to Memorize and Use 宙返り

An effective way to memorize 宙返り is to associate it with visual situations. Imagine a gymnast doing a somersault in the air — this image helps to fix the meaning. Another tip is to remember the structure of the kanji: 宙 (airspace) + 返り (return), meaning "return in the air." This logic makes it easier to understand the word.

When using 宙返り in sentences, a simple example would be: 彼は宙返りをした (Kare wa chūgaeri o shita) — "He did a somersault." The word is a noun but can be combined with verbs like する (to do) or 決める (to finalize, in the sense of executing the movement). If you practice sports or enjoy describing dynamic actions, this expression will certainly be useful.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 後方宙返り (Kōhō chūgaeri) - Back handspring (most commonly used in gymnastics or acrobatics)
• 後ろ宙返り (Ushiro chūgaeri) - Back rotation (emphasis on moving the body backward)
• バックフリップ (Bakku furippu) - Backslap (term in English used in Japan, often used in extreme sports contexts)

宙返り

Romaji: chuugaeri
Kana: ちゅうがえり
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: Somersult; Looping-the-loop

Meaning in English: somersault;looping-the-loop

Definition: The action of tilting the body backwards and returning the nape to the ground. Gymnastic somersault;

Example Sentences - (宙返り) chuugaeri

See below some example sentences:

宙返りは危険な技です。

Chūgaeri wa kiken na waza desu

A backflip is a dangerous technique.

The return is a dangerous technique.

• 宙返り - "サルト" significa "salto mortal" ou "volta ao ar" em japonês.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 危険 - "危険" (kiken) significa "perigoso" em japonês.
• な - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the adjectivation of the word that comes before.
• 技 - means "technique" or "skill" in Japanese.
• です - It is a polite way to say "is" in Japanese.