Looking to add a little aquatic flair to your Spanish vocabulary? In this post, we’ll show you how to say “swimming” in Spanish.
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Introduction
Spanish has two verbs that can be translated as “to swim”: nadar and bañarse. However, these two verbs are used in different contexts. Read on to learn when to use each verb.
Nadar is used when referring to the act of swimming for exercise or competition. It can be used transitively or intransitively. When used transitively, nadar takes a direct object in the form of a noun or pronoun, as in the following examples:
Quiero aprender a nadar. (I want to learn to swim.)
Los niños están aprendiendo a nadar en la piscina. (The children are learning how to swim in the pool.)
Nado cinco días a la semana. (I swim five days a week.)
Ella ganó la medalla de oro en los Juegos Olímpicos por su excelente nado en el estilo libre. (She won the gold medal in the Olympics for her excellent freestyle swimming.)
When used intransitively, nadar does not take a direct object, as in these examples:
El agua está fría, pero voy a intentarlo de todas formas. (The water is cold, but I’m going to try it anyway.)
¿Estás listo para comenzar? Una vuelta rápida para calentarnos y luego empezamos. (Are you ready to start? A quick lap to warm up and then we’ll start.)
Bañarse is used when referring to taking a bath or shower. It is always used intransitively and can never take a direct object:
Me gusta bañarme por las mañanas. (I like to take baths in the morning.)
No me gusta ducharme; prefiero bañarme en una bañera llena de espuma de jabón. (I don’t like showers; I prefer bathing in a tub full of soap bubbles.)
While both verbs can be translated as “to swim,” only nadar should be used when referring specifically to swimming for exercise or competition.
Basic Vocabulary
In order to say “swimming” in Spanish, you would say “nadar.” Nadar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugation is regular. That means that if you know how to conjugate regular -ar verbs, you can conjugate nadar.
“Swimming” in Spanish
Spain is a beautiful country with many different dialects of Spanish. Depending on where you are in the country, you may hear “swimming” referred to as “nadar,” “bañarse,” or “hacer natación.” While all three words technically mean “to swim,” they are used in different contexts. Here is a breakdown of each word and when you should use it:
-Nadar: This word is used when referring to swimming as a form of exercise or sport. For example, you can say “Me gusta nadar en la piscina” (I like to swim in the pool) or “Los niños están aprendiendo a nadar” (The children are learning to swim).
-Bañarse: This word is used when taking a recreational dip in the water, such as at the beach or in a pool. For example, you might say “Vamos a bañarnos en el mar” (We’re going to go for a swim in the sea) or “Bañémonos antes de que se vaya el sol” (Let’s go for a swim before the sun goes down).
-Hacer natación: This phrase is used when talking about swimming as an organized activity, such as taking swimming lessons or competing in a swimming meet. For example, you might say “Mi hijo hace natación en el club de deportes” (My son does swimming at the sports club) or “La natación es un buen ejercicio para la salud” (Swimming is good exercise for your health).
“The pool” in Spanish
In Spanish, the word for “the pool” is “la piscina.” This word can be used to refer to both indoor and outdoor pools.
“The beach” in Spanish
The beach in Spanish is “la playa”. There are many different words you can use to describe the beach, such as “la arena” (sand), “el agua” (water), or “los palm trees” (palm trees). You can also describe the activities you do at the beach, such as “nadar” (swim), “bucear” (snorkel), or “hacer windsurf” (windsurf).
Intermediate Vocabulary
In order to say “swimming” in Spanish, you would use the verb “nadar.” This is a regular, -ar verb, so it follows the same conjugation rules as other verbs like it.
“I’m going swimming” in Spanish
In Spanish, there are a few different ways to say “I’m going swimming.” The most common way to say it is “Voy a nadar.” This is the most literal translation, and it’s the one you’ll want to use most of the time.
If you’re talking about going swimming for exercise, you can say “Voy a hacer natación.” This is a bit more formal, and it’s the term you’ll see used most often in Spanish-language media.
If you’re going swimming for leisure or fun, you can say “Voy a ir a la piscina.” This is the most casual way to say it, and it’s the one you’ll hear people use most often in everyday conversation.
“I want to learn how to swim” in Spanish
In Spanish, the act of swimming is known as “nadar.” To say “I want to learn how to swim” in Spanish, you would say “Quiero aprender a nadar.”
“Do you like swimming?” in Spanish
Are you a fan of swimming? If so, you’re in luck! “Swimming” is a activity that you can enjoy in many different Spanish-speaking countries.
To say “swimming” in Spanish, you can use the word “nadar.” Here are a few example sentences using “nadar”:
-Me gusta nadar. (I like to swim.)
-¿Quieres ir a nadar? (Do you want to go swimming?)
-No puedo nadar muy bien. (I can’t swim very well.)
In addition to “nadar,” there are a few other words and phrases that you can use to talk about swimming in Spanish. For example, you could say “bañarse” (to take a bath) or “ir de pesca” (to go fishing).
Here are some more example sentences using these alternative words and phrases:
-Voy a bañarme en la piscina. (I’m going to take a bath in the pool.)
-Ella va de pesca cada fin de semana. (She goes fishing every weekend.)
-¿Has ido al mar este verano? (Have you gone to the beach this summer?)
Advanced Vocabulary
“I’m a competitive swimmer” in Spanish
My Spanish is basic, but I know how to say “I’m a competitive swimmer” in Spanish. Here it is: Soy un nadador competitivo.
“I’m training for a triathlon” in Spanish
Entrenando para un triatlón – To train for a triathlon
“I’m a lifeguard” in Spanish
Spanish is a beautiful language spoken by many people around the world.
If you’re thinking of becoming a lifeguard, or are already one, you’ll need to know how to say “I’m a lifeguard” in Spanish. Here’s how:
“Soy un salvavidas.”
“I’m a lifeguard” in Spanish is “Soy un salvavidas.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many different ways to say “swimming” in Spanish. The most common way is to use the verb “nadar”, but there are also many other verbs that can be used depending on the context. Remember to conjugate the verb according to the subject, and try to use context clues to figure out which verb is best for each situation. With a little practice, you’ll be swimming in Spanish in no time!
