Japanese symbol for “swim”
泳ぐ
およぐ
Romaji: oyogu
to swim
In Japanese, swim is 泳ぐ, read およぐ (oyogu).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- v5g, vi to swim
- v5g, vi to struggle through (a crowd)
- v5g, vi to make one's way through the world; to get along (in life)
- v5g, vi to totter; to lose one's balance
Written forms: 泳ぐ、游ぐ. Readings: およぐ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “swim”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| スイム | スイム suimu | swim; swimming |
| ひと泳ぎ | ひとおよぎ hitooyogi | a swim |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 水泳 | すいえい suiei | swimming |
| 競泳 | きょうえい kyouei | competitive swimming; swimming race |
| 泳ぎ | およぎ oyogi | swimming |
| 平泳ぎ | ひらおよぎ hiraoyogi | breaststroke (swimming) |
| 遊泳 | ゆうえい yuuei | swimming; bathing |
See also: Chinese symbol for “swim”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.