Translation guide
The activity or sport of moving through water. In Japanese, the most common way to express this is with the noun 水泳 (suiei) or the verb 泳ぐ (oyogu). The choice depends on whether you are talking about swimming as an activity/sport or the action of swimming.
Referring to swimming in general, as a recreational activity, exercise, or competitive sport.
The standard noun for 'swimming' as an activity or sport. Used in contexts like 'I like swimming' or 'swimming club'.
私は水泳が好きです。
I like swimming.
水泳部に入りました。
I joined the swimming club.
The noun form of the verb 泳ぐ (to swim). It can refer to a swim or one's swimming ability/style. Often used in phrases like 'go for a swim'.
ひと泳ぎしに行こう。
Let's go for a swim.
彼は泳ぎが上手だ。
He is good at swimming.
Loanword from English, used in compound terms like 'swimming school' or 'swimming pool' (though プール is more common for pool). Not used as a general noun for the activity.
スイミングスクールに通っています。
I go to a swimming school.
Describing the physical act of moving through water. Use the verb 泳ぐ.
The verb 'to swim'. Used for people, fish, and other creatures. Can be used in progressive form (泳いでいる) to mean 'is swimming'.
彼はプールで泳いでいる。
He is swimming in the pool.
魚が川を泳いでいる。
Fish are swimming in the river.
Talking about going to a pool, beach, etc. to swim. Often expressed with 泳ぎに行く or 水泳に行く.
Literally 'go to swim'. The most natural way to say 'go swimming' as a leisure activity.
明日、海に泳ぎに行きませんか。
Would you like to go swimming in the sea tomorrow?
Also means 'go swimming', but slightly more formal or focused on swimming as an exercise/sport.
週末は水泳に行くつもりです。
I plan to go swimming this weekend.
Referring to swimming lessons or swimming class in an educational setting.
Used for 'swimming class' or 'swimming lessons' in school. Often combined with 授業 (class).
今日は水泳の授業がある。
We have swimming class today.
Referring to swimming races or competitions.
Specifically means 'competitive swimming'. Used for races and swimming events.
彼女は競泳の選手です。
She is a competitive swimmer.
水泳 (suiei) is the general noun for swimming as an activity or sport. 泳ぎ (oyogi) is the noun form of the verb 泳ぐ and often refers to a specific instance of swimming or one's swimming style. Use 水泳 for 'I like swimming' and 泳ぎ for 'go for a swim'.
水泳はいい運動だ。
Swimming is good exercise.
ちょっと泳ぎに行ってくる。
I'm going for a quick swim.