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
泳ぐ
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 泳ぐ.
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, 泳ぐ (およぐ (oyogu)) maps to "to swim" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Intransitive verb. Refers to moving through water using one's body.. 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 "泳ぐ"
私は毎日プールで泳ぎます。
I swim in the pool every day.
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.". "泳ぐ" represents "to swim".