Swimming Vocabulary in Spanish: All the basics
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More infoWhen summer is in full swing, many of us head straight to the pool or the beach. If you want to know how to talk about swimming in Spanish, now’s the perfect time to dive into the vocabulary. Whether you’re talking about the Olympics or just having fun by the water, knowing the right words can make the experience even better!
Swimming equipment
Understanding the right terms for swimming gear will help you communicate better, whether you’re renting equipment at a pool or buying your own.
| English | Spanish |
| Swimsuit | El traje de baño |
| Swiming trunks | El bañador |
| Swimming cap | La gorra de natación |
| Goggles | Los lentes de natación, Las gafas de natación |
| Swimming ear plugs | Los tapones |
| Nose clip | La pinza |
| Flippers, Fins | Las aletas de natación |
| Kickboard | La tabla de natación |
| Life jacket | El chaleco salvavidas |
| Lifeguard | El salvavidas |
| Floater | El flotador |
| Towel | La toalla |
Swimming styles
Swimming has several different styles, and knowing the names of these strokes will help you when talking about technique or during competitions.
| English | Spanish |
| Freestyle stroke | El estilo libre, El nado libre |
| Breaststroke | El estilo pecho, El nado de pecho |
| Backstroke | El estilo espalda, El nado de espalda |
| Doggy paddle | El nado de perrito |
| Artistic swimming | El nado sincronizado |
Swimming competition vocabulary
For those involved in competitive swimming, understanding the vocabulary around races, rules, and competition can make a big difference.
| English | Spanish |
| Competition | La competición, La competencia |
| Race | La carrera |
| Relay | El relevo |
| Lap | La vuelta |
| Lane | El carril |
| Record | El récord |
| Swimmer | El nadador, La nadadora |
| Medal | La medalla |
Swimming verbs
In addition to equipment and terminology, here are the essential verbs related to swimming in Spanish that will help you express different actions in the water.
| English | Spanish |
| To warm up | Calentar |
| To swim | Nadar |
| To go for a dip | Bañarse |
| To practice swimming | Hacer natación |
| To dive, To swim underwater | Bucear |
| To go underwater, To submerge oneself | Sumergirse |
| To dive into the water | Zambullirse |
| To splash | Chapotear |
| To float | Flotar |
| To kick | Patalear |
| To stroke | Bracear |
Swimming phrases
Here are some useful phrases related to swimming in Spanish that will come in handy whether you’re at the beach or the pool.
| English | Spanish |
| Do you know how to swim? | ¿Sabes nadar? |
| Is this your first lesson? | ¿Esta es tu primera lección? |
| What time does the swimming lesson start? | ¿A qué hora empieza la clase de natación? |
| Learning to swim | Aprender a nadar |
| Hold your breath | Aguantar la respiración |
| Diving is not allowed in this area | No está permitido bucear en esta zona. |
Conclusion
If you’re planning on heading to the pool or the beach around Spanish speakers, knowing some basic swimming vocabulary in Spanish can certainly make your experience more enjoyable.
From understanding the names of swimming equipment and techniques to communicating with the people around you, these terms will make you feel more confident and connected.
So, as you enjoy yourself at the beach or poolside, go ahead and practice your Spanish swimming vocabulary!
