泳ぐ

• Reading: およぐ
• Romaji: oyogu
• Kanji breakdown: 泳 (ei/oyo) — to swim
• Pronunciation: /o.jo.ɡɯ/

Meaning

To swim. The standard verb for swimming in water.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb with a g-stem. The te-form is 泳いで (with い sound change typical of g-stem verbs). Used for all types of swimming, whether recreational or competitive. Often paired with place + で (プールで泳ぐ, to swim in a pool).

Examples

1. 夏にプールで泳ぎます。 I swim in the pool in the summer.
2. 海で泳いだことがありますか。 Have you ever swum in the ocean?
3. 子どものとき泳げなかった。 I couldn't swim when I was a kid.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, summer, leisure

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 泳 combines 氵 (water radical) and 永 (eternity/long), suggesting sustained movement through water over time.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal