Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Swimming in Spanish
Natación · noun · nah-tah-see-OHN
The Spanish word for swimming as a sport or activity is natación. When you want to use the verb form — to swim — you say nadar. Natación is a feminine noun, so you would say la natación. Whether you are talking about competitive swimming or a casual dip in the pool, these two words cover every context you will encounter.
Natación is pronounced nah-tah-see-OHN, with the stress on the final syllable. The verb nadar is pronounced nah-DAR.
La natación es uno de los deportes más completos que existen.
Swimming is one of the most complete sports that exist.
Swimming in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for swimming, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| natación | swimming | nah-tah-see-OHN | Default, widely understood |
| nadar | swimming | verb form — to swim | |
| nado | swimming | informal or regional noun form |
How Native Speakers Use Natación
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Talking about a hobby
Me encanta la natación; voy a la piscina tres veces por semana.
I love swimming; I go to the pool three times a week.
Using natación as a noun to describe a favorite activity.
Giving advice
Deberías nadar más seguido para mantenerte en forma.
You should swim more often to stay in shape.
Using the verb nadar in an informal recommendation.
Describing a competition
Ella ganó la medalla de oro en natación en los últimos Juegos Olímpicos.
She won the gold medal in swimming at the last Olympic Games.
Natación used in a formal sporting context.
At the beach
No se recomienda nadar aquí porque las corrientes son muy fuertes.
Swimming is not recommended here because the currents are very strong.
Using nadar in a safety warning at the coast.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Natación
Using nadar as a noun
Incorrect: El nadar es mi deporte favorito.
Correct: La natación es mi deporte favorito.
While el nadar (the infinitive used as a noun) is grammatically possible, natación is the standard and preferred noun form when referring to the sport.
Wrong gender article
Incorrect: El natación olímpica es emocionante.
Correct: La natación olímpica es emocionante.
Natación is a feminine noun and must take the feminine article la, not el.
Lock in Swimming Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Natación used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using natación in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La natación es uno de los deportes más completos que existen. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Swimming in Spanish
- What is the difference between natación and nadar?
- Natación is the noun referring to the sport or activity of swimming, while nadar is the verb meaning to swim. You would say 'La natación es divertida' (Swimming is fun) but 'Me gusta nadar' (I like to swim).
- How do I say 'swimming pool' in Spanish?
- Swimming pool is piscina in most Spanish-speaking countries. In Mexico, you will often hear alberca instead.
- Can I use nadando to mean swimming?
- Nadando is the present participle (gerund) of nadar, so it works perfectly for ongoing actions: 'Estoy nadando' means 'I am swimming.' However, for the sport or activity as a concept, natación is the standard noun form.