Japanese verbs have conjugations.「泳ぐ (およぐ、oyogu)」is a verb and means “swim” or “will swim.” We will teach you the conjugation on this page. You can also learn example sentences using verb conjugations.
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Vocabulary Video
Before you learn the conjugations, please learn about the pronunciation of the verb in dictionary and polite forms.
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Dictionary Form/ます Form
As you know, English tenses are roughly divided into present, future, and past tenses. However, it is said that Japanese tenses consist only of “Past Tense” and “Non-Past Tense.” Therefore, we used “Dictionary Form,” not “Present Tense” in this heading.
Japanese people use two types of language. One is “non-honorific language” and the other is “honorific language.” When we focus on these languages, “dictionary” and “plain” forms are in “non-honorific language.” “Polite form” is in honorific language.
English Meaning: swim, will swim
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Dictionary & Plain Form | 泳ぐ | oyogu |
| ます & Polite Form | 泳ぎます | oyogimasu |
「辞書形 (dictionary form)」is the original form. The technical term is for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.「ます形 (ます form)」is the polite form of a dictionary form. The term is also for non-native Japanese speakers.
I’m going to swim in the sea in the morning.
午前中に海で泳ぐ。 (Plain Form)
午前中に海で泳ぎます。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: do not swim, will not swim
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 泳がない | oyoganai |
| Polite Form | 泳ぎません | oyogimasen |
I won’t swim in this sea.
この海で泳がない。(Plain Form)
この海で泳ぎません。(Polite Form)
Past Tense
English Meaning: swam
The plain form is in “た form”. “た form” is also a technical term for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| た & Plain Form | 泳いだ | oyoida |
| Polite Form | 泳ぎました | oyogimashita |
I swam in the pool with Sato-san yesterday.
昨日佐藤さんとプールで泳いだ。(Plain Form)
昨日佐藤さんとプールで泳ぎました。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: did not swim
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 泳がなかった | oyoganakatta |
| Polite Form | 泳ぎませんでした | oyogimasen deshita |
I didn’t swim in the pool with Sato-san yesterday.
昨日佐藤さんとプールで泳がなかった。(Plain Form)
昨日佐藤さんとプールで泳ぎませんでした。(Polite Form)
て Form
English Meaning: N/A
We cannot know the exact meaning without knowing the sentence and situation.
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
| て Form | 泳いで | oyoide |
About the phrases「ている」and「ています」: Here
About the phrase「～てください。」: Here
I swam in the sea with my boyfriend and saw some fish.
彼氏と海で泳いで、魚を見ました。(Polite Form)
In this case,「て」indicates “and” or “after.”
Volitional Form 1: Will, (Own) Intention, Determination
English Meaning: will swim
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
| Plain Form | 泳ごう | oyogō |
| Polite Form | N/A | N/A |
This phrase is used only in plain form. This is because we use it when we talk to ourselves or think in our minds. When we talk or think to ourselves, we usually do not use the polite form.
I’ll swim 50 meters.
５０メーター泳ごう。(Plain Form)
Volitional Form 2: Solicitation, Intention, Invitation
English Meaning: let’s swim
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
| Plain Form | 泳ごう | oyogō |
| Polite Form | 泳ぎましょう | oyogimashyō |
Let’s swim in the sea together next Monday!
来週の月曜日に一緒に海で泳ごう。(Plain Form)
来週の月曜日に一緒に海で泳ぎましょう。(Polite Form)
Imperative Form
English Meaning: swim! (order, command)
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 泳げ | oyoge |
Swim in shallow water!
浅い場所で泳げ。(Plain Form)
“Imperative form” is used only in plain form and this phrase often becomes rude depending on the situation. Please show us your Japanese when you use it. We will check and teach suitable Japanese.
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Prohibition and Order
English Meaning: do not swim!
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 泳ぐな | oyoguna |
Don’t swim because the river current is fast!
川の流れが速いから泳ぐな。(Plain Form)
Conditional Form
English Meaning: if (subject) swim
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| 泳げば | oyogeba |
If you swim in the sea in winter, you will catch a cold.
冬の海で泳げば、風邪をひくでしょう。(Polite Form)
Hypothetical/Definite Conditions, Sequence of Actions
English Meanings: if/when ~ swim, ~ swam and ~
The form「～たら」has different usages. It has other meanings except from those listed above. More explanations are in our conversation lessons or mail support.
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| 泳いだら | oyoidara |
Here is an example sentence wherein「たら」indicates a “sequence of actions.”
When I swam in Okinawa sea, I saw a beautiful coral reef.
沖縄の海で泳いだら、綺麗なサンゴ礁が見えました。(Polite Form)
Causative Form
English Meaning: make/let/have (person) swim
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 泳がせる | oyogaseru |
| Polite Form | 泳がせます | oyogasemasu |
I’ll let my son swim in the pool during summer vacation.
夏休みは息子にプールで泳がせる。(Plain Form)
夏休みは息子にプールで泳がせます。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: do not make/let/have (person) swim
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 泳がせない | oyogasenai |
| Polite Form | 泳がせません | oyogasemasen |
I won’t let my son swim in the river.
息子に川で泳がせない。 (Plain Form)
息子に川で泳がせません。(Polite Form)
Potential Verb
「可能動詞 (potential verb/s)」is a verb classification that indicates “be able to” or “can do something.”「泳げる(およげる、oyogeru)」is one of the potential verbs.「泳ぐ」and「泳げる」are different verbs in Japanese. The details of the potential verb「泳げる」is here:
To Learn Correct Verb Conjugations
Japanese verb conjugation is too complicated and there are many learners who use it incorrectly. Therefore, we provide lessons and services where we teach and correct your Japanese daily. If you want to know more about the details, please check out our website.
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