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游泳 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
游泳yóuyǒngswimmingHSK 2, vn, rank #2617, Medium
游泳yóuyǒngto swimHSK 2, vn, rank #2617, Medium
yóuyǒng(you2yong3) T2
  1. 1swimming
  2. 2to swim
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March 24, 2026
游泳yóuyǒng(you2yong3)

游泳 (yóu yǒng) refers to the activity of swimming. It is commonly used in both casual conversations and formal contexts to discuss the sport, leisure activity, or skill of moving through water. The term can also imply enjoyment and relaxation associated with swimming.

Frequency#2617DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

Swimming is a popular activity in China, especially in the summer months, with numerous public swimming pools and natural bodies of water available for recreation. There are also traditional swimming competitions and events during festivals.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person '游' (yóu), which looks like they are gliding smoothly through water, while '泳' (yǒng) has a wave-like form, evoking the motion of swimming. Together, they create a vivid image of swimming joyfully in a pool or the ocean.

Meanings of 游泳

yóuyǒng(you2yong3)
1swimming
2to swim
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About 游泳

游泳Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#2617Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 游泳

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Podcast: 游泳

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AI Study Notes for 游泳

Quick Contrast

游泳 (yóuyǒng) vs 泳 (yǒng) — use 游泳 when referring to the activity of swimming in a general sense, while 泳 specifically refers to swimming as a competitive sport.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person '游' (yóu), which looks like they are gliding smoothly through water, while '泳' (yǒng) has a wave-like form, evoking the motion of swimming. Together, they create a vivid image of swimming joyfully in a pool or the ocean.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the pronunciation, as the tones are crucial: '游' (yóu) with the second tone and '泳' (yǒng) with the third tone. Common collocations include '去游泳' (qù yóu yǒng - go swimming) and '游泳池' (yóu yǒng chí - swimming pool). Avoid mixing it up with similar-sounding words that may have different meanings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 2 word, 游泳 connects well with other verbs related to movement and activities like 跑步 (pǎo bù - running) and 骑车 (qí chē - cycling). Students should focus on using it in sentences to describe activities they enjoy or plan to do.

Cultural Note

Swimming is a popular activity in China, especially in the summer months, with numerous public swimming pools and natural bodies of water available for recreation. There are also traditional swimming competitions and events during festivals.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 游泳 with other water-related activities, such as 浸泡 (jìn pào - soaking). For example, saying '我在游泳泡' is incorrect; you should say '我在游泳' (I am swimming) instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 游泳

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Component Characters

游yóuto swim
HSK 212 strokes氵
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泳yǒngswimming
HSK 28 strokes氵
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Write 游泳

游
泳

Practice writing 游泳 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 游泳

游泳 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

我和弟弟都喜欢____。

My younger brother and I both like swimming.

Example Sentences for 游泳 (10)

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1
游泳或许是现有的最佳锻炼方式。

yóu yǒng huò xǔ shì xiàn yǒu de zuì jiā duàn liàn fāng shì。

Swimming is probably the best form of exercise you can get.
2
这是我所见过的最速成的游泳课。

zhè shì wǒ suǒ jiàn guò de zuì sù chéng de yóu yǒng kè。

It was the quickest swimming lesson I'd ever witnessed.
3
据悉海豚有时会救溺水的游泳者。

jù xī hǎi tún yǒu shí huì jiù nì shuǐ de yóu yǒng zhě。

Dolphins have sometimes been known to save drowning swimmers.
4
全国总共只有60个游泳池。

quán guó zǒng gòng zhī yǒu60 60 gè yóu yǒng。

There are only 60 swimming pools in the entire country.
5
每两个小时重新涂一次防晒油，尤其是在游泳的时候。

měi liǎng gè xiǎo shí zhòng xīn tú yī cì fáng shài yóu， ， yóu qí shì zài yóu yǒng de shí。

Re-apply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you have been swimming.
6
游泳是很好的锻炼方式。

yóu yǒng shì hěn hǎo de duàn liàn fāng shì。

Swimming is a good form of exercise.
7
冬季来游泳的人很多，泳池人满为患。

dōng jì lái yóu yǒng de rén hěn duō， ， yǒng chí rén mǎn wéi。

During winter, many people swim and the pool is crowded.
8
如果说有什么能强烈地吸引她，那就是游泳了。

rú guǒ shuō yǒu shí mó néng qiáng liè dì xī yǐn tā， ， nà jiù shì yóu yǒng。

If anything, swimming will appeal to her most strongly.
9
由于存在着危险的下层逆流，在大部分海岸线附近游泳都不安全。

yóu yú cún zài zháo wēi xiǎn de xià céng nì liú， ， zài dà bù fēn hǎi àn xiàn fù jìn yóu yǒng dū bù ān。

Dangerous undertows make swimming unsafe along most of the coastline.
10
有人在湖上游泳和扬帆。

yǒu rén zài hú shàng yóu yǒng hé yáng fān。

There was swimming and sailing down on the lake.

Cultural Notes for 游泳

🏮Cultural insight

Swimming is a popular activity in China, especially in the summer months, with numerous public swimming pools and natural bodies of water available for recreation. There are also traditional swimming competitions and events during festivals.

Frequently Asked Questions about 游泳

You can say '我喜欢游泳' (wǒ xǐ huān yóu yǒng), which means 'I like swimming.'