Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Swim" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "swim", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
およぎます
およぎます (oyogimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
およぐ
およぐ (oyogu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "swim" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between およぎます and およぐ.
In Japanese, およぎます (およぎます (oyogimasu)) is typically associated with "to swim" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents The polite form of 泳ぐ.
On the other hand, およぐ (およぐ (oyogu)) maps to "to swim" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used when moving through water. Often used with プール. A literal translation of "swim" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "およぎます"
毎日プールでおよぎます。
I swim in the pool every day.
Bilingual Context for "およぐ"
私は夏に海でおよぎます。
I swim in the sea in summer.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "毎日プールで ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I swim in the pool every day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "およぎます" fits here because it means "to swim" in the context of: "I swim in the pool every day.". "およぐ" represents "to swim".