jump,leap,skip,spring这几个词的一般含义是“跳”:
1.jump 是个通用词,不问是从高处跳到低处,或从一点跳到另一点,都可使用
I can jump off the box, but I can't jump off that wall.
我能从这只箱子上跳下去,但是我不能从那个墙上跳下去.
After jumping about on the carpet and twisting the human frame into uncomfotable positions, I sat down at the breakfast table in an exhausted condition.
在地毯上乱跳一阵,并把身躯扭曲到令人不舒服的各种姿势以后,我在精疲力尽的情况下坐在早餐桌旁.
He is practising the high jump.
他在练习跳高.
2.leap 则比较正式,常用于文学或比较高雅的文字中.
They all leapt out of their sleeping-bags and hurried outside.
他们都从睡袋里跳了出来并急忙跑到外面.
Look before you leap.
三思而后行.
另,jump和leap都可以用作名词:
It is a big leap in the process of cognition.
这是认识过程的一次大飞跃.
3.skip 指轻快而活泼的跳,或者轻盈而灵敏的跳,如儿童的跳绳游戏
Children are fond of skipping.
儿童喜欢跳绳.
He always skips from one subject to another.
他讲话总是喜欢东拉西扯.
4.spring 指突然起跳,好象在弹力作用下的跳.此外,还有一常用动词hop,一般指青蛙或蝗虫之类动物的跳跃行为,用于人时,尤指独腿或单脚的跳动.
Hearing the knock on the door, he sprang out of bed.
他听到了敲门声便突然从床上跳了出来.
The dog sprang at the man.
那只狗猛地向那个人扑去.