How to say "swallow" in Japanese

• 飲むのむJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'swallow' in the broad sense of getting liquid or medicine down the throat; its primary meaning is 'to drink', so it fits when the swallowing is part of drinking or taking medicine.
  この薬くすりを飲のまなければ行いけませんか。↗

  Must I take this medicine?
• 飲み込むのみこむJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe verb that centers on the act of swallowing, with the nuance of gulping something down; choose it when the swallowing action itself is what you want to describe.
• つばめCommon
  nounThe bird: a swallow of the Hirundinidae family, also covering martins, and usually written in kana. It has no connection to the verb senses; use it only when 'swallow' refers to the bird.
  たくさんのツバメがまもなく南みなみからやってくる。↗

  Many swallows will come soon from the south.

For the physical act of swallowing, choose between 「飲む」, where swallowing is part of drinking or taking medicine, and 「飲み込む」, which focuses on the swallowing or gulping action itself; 「つばめ」 is the bird, a different sense entirely.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 飲むのむto drink
• 飲み込むのみこむto swallow
• つばめswallow (bird of the Hirundinidae family)
• 飲み下すのみくだすto swallow
• 玄鳥げんちょうswallow
• 鵜呑みにするうのみにするto swallow (e.g. a story)