Translation of German word "schwimmen" to English
schwimmen
/ʃvɪmən/
Meaning
VerbTo move through the water, without touching the bottom; to propel oneself in water by natural means.
How to use
The strong verb schwimmen ('to swim') conjugates: schwimmt, schwamm, ist/hat geschwommen. In standard high German, it uses sein as its perfect auxiliary when movement in a direction is involved (Er ist ans Ufer geschwommen — He swam to the shore) or when swimming as a sport in general. In some regional dialects (e.g., Southern Germany / Austria / Switzerland), haben is sometimes used for static swimming in place, but sein is the standard for directional travel.
🇬🇧 English
to swim
Example
Der alte Schwimm war seit Generationen in Familienbesitz.
The old swimming pool had been in the family for generations.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- im Pool schwimmen— to swim in the pool (dative location, auxiliary 'sein' or 'haben')
- über den Fluss schwimmen— to swim across the river (accusative direction, auxiliary 'sein')
- schwimmen gehen— to go swimming / go for a swim
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📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "schwimmen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich bin geschwommen
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #295 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "schwimmen"?▼
The German word "schwimmen" is defined as: "To move through the water, without touching the bottom; to propel oneself in water by natural means."
What does the German word "schwimmen" mean?▼
The German word "schwimmen" means "to swim" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "schwimmen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "schwimmen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "schwimmen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Der alte Schwimm war seit Generationen in Familienbesitz." (which translates as "The old swimming pool had been in the family for generations.").
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