Minecraft wiki entry for Player, associated text: In Survival mode, the player can place and destroy most blocks, and use all tools available. The player has limited health ( icons), hunger ( icons), and oxygen (bubble icons)
In Creative mode, the player can fly by double-tapping the jump key (default Space) and place an infinite number of blocks, but with limited use of crafting and tools. No mobs will attack the player. The player cannot take damage (at all in Bedrock Edition, and in Java Edition only when falling into the Void or typing the command /kill), has no hunger and has unlimited oxygen, and breaking blocks is instantaneous.
In Hardcore mode‌[Java Edition only], the player can respawn only in Spectator mode, and the difficulty level is locked on Hard mode.
In Adventure mode, there are no changes from Survival mode aside from being unable to break or place blocks unless they possess a tool with the CanDestroy NBT data tag for that block, or have a block with the CanPlaceOn tag. This game mode can be played only by having cheats enabled and typing the command /gamemode adventure, /gamemode a‌[Bedrock Edition only], /gamemode 2‌[Bedrock Edition only], or by opening a multiplayer (including LAN) world.
In Spectator mode‌[Java Edition only], the player can spectate almost all mobs, ride them as if the player were in a minecart, fly through blocks, and open inventories, but cannot break blocks or change inventories. Along with Adventure, it can be accessed by typing in /gamemode spectator, pressing F3+F4 until Spectator mode (the eye of ender) is selected or F3+N while cheats are enabled, or dying in Hardcore mode. However, with the Debug Mode world type, the gamemode is locked as Spectator mode unless changed with cheats enabled.