Translation guide
The English word "swing" covers a wide range of actions and concepts, from physical motion to changes in state. This guide breaks it down into practical meanings and shows how to express each naturally in Japanese.
Describing something that hangs and moves rhythmically, like a pendulum, a swing at a playground, or your arms while walking.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to sway', 'to swing', 'to shake'. Used for objects that move back and forth on their own or due to external force.
風で木の枝が揺れている。
The tree branches are swinging in the wind.
ブランコが揺れている。
The swing is swinging.
Transitive verb meaning 'to swing something', 'to shake'. Used when someone causes the swinging motion.
Adverb/verb meaning 'to dangle', 'to swing loosely'. Often used for limbs or hanging objects moving idly.
彼は足をぶらぶらさせながら座っていた。
He sat swinging his legs.
Describing the action of swinging an object through the air, often in sports or combat.
Transitive verb meaning 'to swing', 'to wave', 'to shake'. The most common word for swinging a bat, racket, sword, etc.
Describing a shift in feelings, votes, or trends.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to change'. Simple and natural for describing a swing in mood or opinion.
Describing a smooth, arcing movement, like a car turning into a driveway or a door opening.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to turn', 'to bend'. Used for vehicles or paths changing direction.
Describing the act of throwing a punch.
Referring to the activity of using a swing set.
Literally 'ride on a swing'. The standard way to say 'play on the swings'.
子供たちは公園でブランコに乗っている。
The children are swinging on the swings in the park.
Referring to the genre of jazz music or the dance.
The loanword スイング is mainly used in sports (golf, baseball) and music. Using it for a playground swing or a door swinging open sounds unnatural.
揺れる (intransitive) is for something that swings by itself or is passively moving. 振る (transitive) is for swinging an object purposefully. Compare: 枝が揺れる (the branch swings) vs. バットを振る (swing a bat).
He swung the swing.
Swing a bat.
彼は剣を振り回した。
He swung his sword around.
Transitive verb meaning 'to swing around', 'to brandish'. Implies wild or forceful swinging.
子供が棒を振り回している。
The child is swinging a stick around.
Loanword from English, used mainly in sports contexts like golf or baseball. Sounds technical or sporty.
ゴルフのスイングを練習する。
Practice your golf swing.
気分ががらりと変わった。
My mood swung completely.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to waver', 'to swing back and forth' between options or emotions.
彼の意見はまだ揺れ動いている。
His opinion is still swinging back and forth.
Literally 'change suddenly'. A straightforward way to express a swing.
状況が急に変わった。
The situation swung suddenly.
車が角を曲がった。
The car swung around the corner.
Means 'to move quickly/smoothly'. Can describe a door swinging open or a person swinging into action.
ドアがさっと開いた。
The door swung open.
Compound verb meaning 'to swing at (someone)', 'to try to punch'. Implies an aggressive attempt to hit.
彼は私に殴りかかってきた。
He took a swing at me.
Literally 'throw a punch'. Common in boxing or fight contexts.
彼は強烈なパンチを繰り出した。
He swung a powerful punch.
Literally 'row/pump a swing'. Emphasizes the pumping motion to keep swinging.
もっと強くブランコを漕いで！
Swing higher! (lit. Pump the swing harder!)
Katakana loanword for the music/dance style. Widely understood.
スウィングジャズが好きです。
I like swing jazz.