nadar
/naˈdaɾ/
The Spanish word for swim is nadar.
The verb nadar is used to describe the action of moving through water.
Meaning: move through water (verb)
Which one should you use?
While nadar is the verb meaning 'to swim', the related noun natación is used specifically to refer to the sport of swimming.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular preterite form for 'I swam' is nadé. To express a continuous action, such as 'swimming', use the gerund form nadando.
How do you pronounce it?
/naˈdaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word nadar descends from the Proto-Indo-European root *(s)neh₂-, which is also the ancestor of the English word 'swim'.
- While nadar is the general verb, Spanish uses the phrase dar un chapuzón to describe taking a quick, refreshing dip in a pool or the sea.
- The verb nadar is used in the expression nadar en la incertidumbre, which means to be 'swimming in uncertainty' or completely lost in doubt.
Examples in context
- ¿Va Tom a nadar?Is Tom going to swim?This sentence uses nadar to ask about a future intention.Tatoeba #4344963 by pchamorro, translation #3820409 by CK
- Le enseñé a nadar.I taught him how to swim.This sentence uses nadar to describe the act of teaching the skill.Tatoeba #1314097 by Shishir, translation #284981 by CK
- Él no sabía nadar.He could not swim.This sentence uses nadar to express a lack of ability.Tatoeba #2220574 by Shishir, translation #1635554 by Spamster
- Me gusta nadar en la piscina todos los veranos.I enjoy swimming in the pool every summer.
- Mi hermano practica la natación en un club deportivo.My brother practices swimming at a sports club.
- ¡Vamos al río a dar un chapuzón!Let's go to the river for a swim!
- En verano, me encanta darme un baño en el mar.In summer, I love going for a swim in the sea.
- Yo nadoI swim
- Tú nadasYou swim
- Él/Ella/Usted nadaHe/She swims
- Nosotros/Nosotras nadamosWe swim
- Vosotros/Vosotras nadáisYou all swim
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes nadanThey swim
- Ayer nadé con mis amigos en el río.Yesterday, I swam with my friends in the river.
- ¿Sabes nadar en el mar?Do you know how to swim in the sea?
- 385 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A sunny day at the beach.
- María¡Mira el agua, Javier! ¿Quieres nadar?Look at the water, Javier! Do you want to swim?
- JavierSí, me encanta nadar cuando hace calor.Yes, I love to swim when it is hot.
- MaríaYo también. La temperatura es perfecta.Me too. The temperature is perfect.
- JavierEntonces, ¡vamos a nadar ahora!Then, let's go swim now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swim” translations and entries nadar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nadar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
