Welcome to our guide on how to say “swimming” in Korean! Whether you’re planning to take a dip in the Han River, visit a local pool, or just have a conversation about this popular water activity in Korean, we’ve got you covered.
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say Swimming in Korean
If you wish to use formal language or need to communicate politely, the following phrases will come in handy:
수영 (suyeong): This is the most common and formal way to say “swimming” in Korean. It is widely used in various settings, from formal conversations to official documents.
When using the formal word, 수영 (suyeong), keep in mind that it functions both as a noun and a verb. Let’s see how it can be used in different contexts:
- 물에서 수영을 하다. (mul-eseo suyeong-eul hada) – To swim in the water.
- 저는 매주 일요일에 수영 수업을 받습니다. (jeo-neun maeju il-yo-ire suyeong sueop-eul batseumnida) – I take swimming lessons every Sunday.
2. Informal Ways to Say Swimming in Korean
If you’re in a casual setting or talking to close friends, you can choose a more informal term for “swimming.” Here are a couple of popular options:
- 헤엄치다 (he-eomchida): This informal verb translates to “to swim” and is used in everyday conversations. It’s a great choice if you want to sound a bit more relaxed but still polite.
- 헤엄침 (he-eomchim): If you’d like to use the noun form, “swim,” in informal language, this is the word you’ll want to remember.
Let’s see how these informal terms can be utilized:
- 내일 수영장에서 친구들과 함께 헤엄칠 거야. (naeil suyeongjang-eseo chingudeulgwa hamkke he-eomchil geoya) – Tomorrow, I’m going swimming with friends at the pool.
- 나 평소에 헤엄치는 걸 좋아해. (na pyeongsue he-eomchineun geol johahae) – I enjoy swimming normally.
3. Regional Variations
While the main phrases mentioned earlier are universally understood in Korea, you might come across a few regional variations. These variations often revolve around dialects and might not be as commonly used. However, here are a couple of examples for the sake of completeness:
- 몸파다 (mompada): This term is used mainly in the Gyeongsang Province in the southeast of Korea. It refers to “swimming” and is derived from the local dialect. It may be less familiar to speakers from other regions.
- 수세미치다 (susemichida): Hailing from the Jeolla Province in southwestern Korea, this term refers to “swimming” and is also based on the local dialect. Again, it may be less commonly understood outside the region.
Remember, these regional variations are not as widely used, so the chances of encountering them in everyday conversations are relatively low.
Final Tips and Examples
Here are a few more tips and examples to help you with the topic of “swimming” in Korean:
비치 (bichi): This term specifically denotes swimming in the sea or ocean. It can be used interchangeably with 수영 (suyeong), 헤엄치다 (he-eomchida), or 헤엄침 (he-eomchim) when referring to swimming in a maritime setting.
Additional phrases that might be useful:
- 수영복 (suyeongbok): Swimming suit.
- 수영장 (suyeongjang): Swimming pool.
- 반바지 (banbaji): Shorts.
- 비키니 (bikini): Bikini.
Finally, here are some example sentences to help you practice and reinforce your learning:
- 여름에는 수영하기 좋은 날씨예요. (yeoreum-eneun suyeonghagi joheun nalssiyeyo) – Summer has good weather for swimming.
- 나 이번 주말에 수영장에 가려고 계획 중이야. (na ibeon jumal-e suyeongjang-e galyeogo gyehoeg jungiya) – I’m planning to go to the swimming pool this weekend.
Now that you’re equipped with the formal and informal ways to say “swimming” in Korean, as well as some regional variations, dive right in and enjoy conversing about this popular activity! Happy swimming!
