The Meaning of suiei [水泳] In Japanese

水泳
すいえい
Romaji: suiei N5

What does 水泳 mean?

Translation and Meaning

water, swimming

Definition

水泳 means the activity of moving through water by using the limbs; it refers to swimming as both a recreational activity and a sport, and is the standard Japanese term for this aquatic pursuit.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Swimming as a competitive sport, with organized events and records.
  • Swimming as a recreational activity practiced in pools, rivers, and oceans.
  • The act of staying afloat and moving through water for safety, fitness, or leisure in everyday life.

Origin

The term 水泳 was formed in classical Japanese by combining 水 (water) with 泳 (swim); it became established in modern Japanese as education and sports terminology expanded, reflecting a standardized label for aquatic activity.

Composition

  • 水 (sui): water
  • 泳 (ei): swim
Together they form the concept of swimming in water.

Usage

Used in formal and informal contexts to denote the activity of swimming; common in education, sports, media, and club names, often appearing in compounds such as 水泳部, 水泳大会, 水泳選手 to describe groups and events.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine water droplets guiding a swimmer along a path; the first kanji evokes water (sui/mizu) and the second evokes movement through it (ei), linking the sounds to the idea of moving in water.

Variations

  • 泳ぎ (oyogi) — the act of swimming
  • 水泳部 (suieibu) — swimming club

Example Phrases

  • 週末、友達と 水泳 を 楽しむ ために プールへ 行った。
    Shūmatsu, tomodachi to suiei o tanoshimu tame ni pūru e itta.
    On the weekend, I went to the pool with friends to enjoy swimming.
    Lista:
    • 週末 (Shūmatsu) – weekend
    • 友達と (tomodachi to) – with friends
    • 水泳 (suiei) – swimming
    • を (o) – object marker
    • 楽しむ (tanoshimu) – to enjoy
    • ために (tame ni) – for the purpose of
    • プールへ (pūru e) – to the pool
    • 行った (itta) – went
    「水泳」 é um substantivo que funciona como o objeto do verbo 楽しむ; indica a atividade a ser desfrutada.
水泳