Explore 泳 in a verb and a compound for swimming. Connect each reading with a complete word and a useful context.
The idea
泳 has 8 strokes; follow the linked stroke-order diagram. 泳ぐ is read およぐ, with ぐ as okurigana; 水泳 is read すいえい. The polite form 泳ぎます and the te-form 泳いで both come from 泳ぐ.
Examples
- 毎週プールで泳ぎます。I swim in the pool every week.
- 妹は上手に泳ぎます。My younger sister swims well.
- 去年の夏、海で泳ぎました。We swam in the sea last summer.
- 水泳の練習をしています。I am practising swimming.
- 私の趣味は水泳です。My hobby is swimming.
- あの魚は川を泳いでいます。That fish is swimming in the river.
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Watch out
Do not confuse 泳 with 永: 泳 has the three water strokes on the left. 水泳 is a noun for swimming, while 泳ぐ is a verb.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 泳ぐ in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
およぐ
泳ぐ is およぐ. The kana ぐ belongs to the word and changes in forms such as 泳ぎます.
Write the reading of 水泳 in hiragana.
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すいえい
水泳 is すいえい. It is a noun, as in 水泳の練習, swimming practice.
Choose the missing kanji: 水＿（すいえい）［泳／永］.
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泳
泳 completes 水泳. Its water component distinguishes it from 永.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 泳ぐ in hiragana.
Write the reading of 水泳 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: 水＿（すいえい）［泳／永］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 泳 following the diagram. Cover the examples, read 泳ぐ and 水泳, then make a sentence about swimming.