遊泳・游泳|ゆうえいyuuei[0]heiban (flat)

Common
Which spelling to use
遊泳Use 遊泳 when writing this word; it is the more common kanji-only form and the appropriate default for beginners.
游泳游泳 is a kanji-only variant that is rarely used, so learners will seldom encounter it and generally should choose 遊泳 instead.
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbswimming; bathing
    彼かれは宇宙うちゅうを遊泳ゆうえいした最初さいしょの人間にんげんだった。↗
    He was the first man to float in space.
  2. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbgetting on in the world
Conjugation
Dictionary form遊泳する(ゆうえいする)
Polite (masu)遊泳します(ゆうえいします)
Negative (nai)遊泳しない(ゆうえいしない)
polite (masen)遊泳しません(ゆうえいしません)
classical zu / nu遊泳せず・遊泳せぬ(ゆうえいせず・ゆうえいせぬ)
Past (ta)遊泳した(ゆうえいした)
polite (mashita)遊泳しました(ゆうえいしました)
Past negative (nakatta)遊泳しなかった(ゆうえいしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)遊泳しませんでした(ゆうえいしませんでした)
Te form遊泳して(ゆうえいして)
Potential遊泳できる(ゆうえいできる)
Passive遊泳される(ゆうえいされる)
Causative遊泳させる(ゆうえいさせる)
Causative passive遊泳させられる(ゆうえいさせられる)
Conditional (ba)遊泳すれば(ゆうえいすれば)
tara遊泳したら(ゆうえいしたら)
Volitional遊泳しよう(ゆうえいしよう)
polite (mashou)遊泳しましょう(ゆうえいしましょう)
Imperative遊泳しろ(ゆうえいしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym水泳すいえいNeutralThe most common word for swimming as a sport or in lessons; 「遊泳」 leans toward signs and written prose, plus the figurative sense of getting on in the world.
  • SynonymスイミングNeutralLoanword for swimming, used mainly for classes, as in 「スイミングスクール」.
  • Related泳ぐおよぐNeutralThe verb for swimming, also figuratively for making one's way in the world; the everyday spoken choice.
  • Related泳ぎおよぎNeutralNoun for swimming or one's swimming technique, as in 「泳ぎが上手」.
  • Related水練すいれんWrittenWritten word for swimming training, often in the phrase 「畳の上の水練」.

For swimming as a sport say 「水泳」, for the action say 「泳ぐ」, for lessons 「スイミング」. 「遊泳」 itself turns up mostly in signs like 「遊泳禁止」 and figurative phrases like 「政界遊泳術」; 「泳ぎ」 names the act or style, 「水練」 is written for training.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 泳およぐこと。水泳すいえい。
  2. 世渡よわたり。処世しょせい。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

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