Word
水泳
Meaning in Englishswimming
Animated kanji stroke order
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Word context
What it means
水泳 means the activity of moving through water by using the limbs; it refers to swimming as both a recreational activity and a sport, and is the standard Japanese term for this aquatic pursuit.
Main meanings
- Swimming as a competitive sport, with organized events and records.
- Swimming as a recreational activity practiced in pools, rivers, and oceans.
- The act of staying afloat and moving through water for safety, fitness, or leisure in everyday life.
How to use it
Used in formal and informal contexts to denote the activity of swimming; common in education, sports, media, and club names, often appearing in compounds such as 水泳部, 水泳大会, 水泳選手 to describe groups and events.
Variants and close terms
- 泳ぎ (oyogi) — the act of swimming
- 水泳部 (suieibu) — swimming club
Composition
- 水 (sui): water
- 泳 (ei): swim
Origin
The term 水泳 was formed in classical Japanese by combining 水 (water) with 泳 (swim); it became established in modern Japanese as education and sports terminology expanded, reflecting a standardized label for aquatic activity.
Word class
Noun (名詞)
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