κολυμπώ
kolympo
The English verb swim is translated into Greek as κολυμπώ (kolympo).
The primary verb for the action of moving through water is κολυμπώ. If you wish to refer to a person who performs this action, the noun κολυμπιστής is used.
Meaning: move through water (verb)
Which one should you use?
While κολύμβηση refers specifically to the sport or the formal act of swimming, the word μπάνιο is frequently used colloquially to mean 'going for a swim' in a sea or pool. In the regions of Macedonia and Thrace in northern Greece, the term μπάνιο might also be used to refer to swimming.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Macedonia and Thrace, μπάνιο is sometimes used to mean swimming.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form κολυμπάω is a common colloquial variant of the standard κολυμπώ.
How do you pronounce it?
kolympo
Did you know?
- In Greek culture, the first swim of the year is often celebrated on the feast of Epiphany, where people jump into freezing water to retrieve a blessed cross.
- In Greek, you do not 'take' a swim as you do in English, but you 'do' a μπάνιο, using the verb κάνω (to do/make).
- While κολυμπώ is the verb for swimming, Greeks use the word βουτιά (meaning 'dive') to describe a quick, refreshing dip in the water.
Examples in context
- Μου αρέσει να κολυμπώ.I like to swim.This sentence shows how to express a preference using κολυμπώ.Tatoeba #5548265 by Zeus, translation #256172 by CK
- Δεν κολυμπώ.I don't swim.This sentence demonstrates a negative statement using κολυμπώ.Tatoeba #5576693 by Zeus, translation #5576355 by CK
- Ποτέ δεν κολυμπώ.I never swim.This sentence shows how to express that an action never occurs using κολυμπώ.Tatoeba #5576684 by Zeus, translation #5576486 by CK
- Αύριο θα πάμε να κολυμπήσουμε στην παραλία.Tomorrow, we will go swimming at the beach.
- Οι φίλοι μου πάντα κολυμπάνε στον ποταμό το καλοκαίρι.My friends always swim in the river during the summer.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Dimitris are at the beach.
- Μαρία MariaΘέλεις να κολυμπώ μαζί σου;Théleis na kolymbó mazí sou?Do you want me to swim with you?
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΝαι, το νερό είναι υπέροχο!Nai, to neró eínai ypérocho!Yes, the water is wonderful!
- Μαρία MariaΤότε θα κολυμπώ μέχρι εκείνο το βράχο.Tóte tha kolymbó méchri ekíno to vrácho.Then I will swim to that rock.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΠροσεχέτε, Μαρία, μην πας πολύ μακριά.Prosechéte, María, min pas polý makriá.Be careful, Maria, don't go too far.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
