J'adore nager
The English phrase "I love swimming" is translated into French as J'adore nager.
This phrase is used to express a strong liking for the activity of swimming. If you want to refer to swimming as a noun or the sport itself, you can use the term la natation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Je (I), adore (love/adore) and nager (to swim).
Which one should you use?
While J'adore nager expresses a strong passion, the phrase J'aime nager is a milder way to say "I like swimming". Additionally, J'adore la natation is used if you are referring specifically to the sport of swimming rather than the physical action.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, the verb adorer is followed by the infinitive form of the second verb to express a love for an activity, rather than using a gerund. To refer to swimming as a noun (the sport), you use la natation.
Did you know?
- The verb nager is actually a distant relative of the English word 'navigate'. It comes from the Latin 'navigare', which means 'to sail a ship'.
- In France, la natation is frequently a mandatory part of the national school curriculum rather than just an optional extracurricular activity.
- The word natation is used for the sport, but the term bain is used when referring to the act of taking a dip or a swim for relaxation.
Examples in context
- J'adore nager.I love swimming.This sentence is useful for expressing the phrase J'adore nager.Tatoeba #1842923 by sacredceltic, translation #4527294 by CK
- Je suis complètement accro à la natation! Chaque fois que je suis à la piscine, je me sens libre et vivant. Rien ne peut égaler la sensation de l'eau qui caresse ma peau lorsque je nage.I'm completely addicted to swimming! Every time I'm at the pool, I feel free and alive. Nothing can match the sensation of the water caressing my skin when I swim.
- J'adore nager en été.I love swimming in summer.
- Est-ce que tu sais que j'adore nager ?Do you know that I love swimming?
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are talking about their weekend hobbies.
- EmmaMoi, j'adore nager dans l'océan.Me, I love swimming in the ocean.
- LucasC'est vrai, tu es une excellente nageuse.That's true, you are an excellent swimmer.
- EmmaEt toi, quel est ton sport préféré ?And you, what is your favorite sport?
- LucasMoi, j'adore courir le matin.Me, I love running in the morning.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nager, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
