nadar
A2Neutral to informal. Common in everyday conversation, instructional contexts, and descriptive writing.
Definition
Meaning
To swim or to float on or in water.
To be surrounded by something; to be in abundance; to move smoothly or effortlessly through a medium.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
'Nadar' is a verb of motion and activity. Its primary use relates to self-propulsion through water. It can also figuratively imply moving through a non-liquid medium (e.g., air, data) or being immersed in a quality or substance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. British English may slightly favour 'have a swim' over the verb alone in some casual contexts. The word 'nadar' is not a standard English word and its inclusion suggests this entry may be for the Spanish or Portuguese verb meaning 'to swim'.
Connotations
As 'nadar' is not an English word, no connotations exist. If intended for Spanish, it is the standard, neutral term for swimming.
Frequency
In English, the word is non-existent. In Spanish, it is a very high-frequency verb.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + nadarSubject + nadar + en/por + locationSubject + saber + nadarSubject + ir/venir + a + nadarSubject + estar + nadandoVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Nadar entre dos aguas (to sit on the fence)”
- “Nadar y guardar la ropa (to have your cake and eat it)”
- “Nadar en la abundancia (to be rolling in it)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Figurative: 'La empresa nada en números rojos.' (The company is swimming in red numbers/is deep in debt).
Academic
Rarely used outside of describing experiments or physical activity studies.
Everyday
The primary context. Discussing sports, leisure activities, or personal skills. '¿Sabes nadar?' 'Vamos a nadar al río.'
Technical
Used in physics/fluid dynamics contexts for buoyancy or in sports science for technique analysis.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The children love to swim in the lake.
- He learnt to swim at a very young age.
- She swims a mile every morning before work.
American English
- The kids love to swim in the lake.
- He learned to swim at a very young age.
- She swims a mile every morning before work.
adverb
British English
- She moved swimmingly through the water.
American English
- She moved swimmingly through the water.
adjective
British English
- The swimming pool was heated.
- He joined a swimming club.
American English
- The swimming pool was heated.
- He joined a swim club.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I swim on Saturdays.
- Can you swim?
- The dog swims in the river.
- He swims thirty lengths every day to keep fit.
- We're going to swim across the bay if the weather holds.
- You need to learn to swim before going snorkelling.
- Despite the strong current, she managed to swim to safety.
- The data shows the company is swimming against the tide of market trends.
- He swims with a technique reminiscent of an Olympic champion.
- The documentary explores the physiological adaptations that allow humans to swim for extraordinary distances.
- Politically, the minister is known for swimming between two waters, never committing to a clear stance.
- The start-up found itself swimming in venture capital after the successful prototype demo.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a NADAR (NAD+A+R) is a 'Not A Dry-Afternoon Requirement' – you need to swim!
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS SWIMMING / SUCCESS IS STAYING AFLOAT (e.g., 'nadar en la vida', 'saber nadar en las dificultades').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'надо' (need to).
- The verb is 'плавать'. 'Nadar' is not directly cognate.
- English speakers learning Spanish often confuse 'nadar' (to swim) with 'navegar' (to sail/navigate).
Common Mistakes
- *Yo nado en la playa (better: *en el mar/océano* or *voy a la playa a nadar*).
- Incorrect conjugation: *yo nado* is correct, but learners might try *yo nade*.
- Using 'nadar' for 'floating' without motion; 'flotar' is more precise.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is NOT a common figurative meaning of 'nadar' in Spanish?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Nadar' is a completely regular -ar verb in Spanish (nado, nadas, nada, nadamos, nadáis, nadan).
'Nadar' specifically means to swim, involving self-propulsion in water. 'Bañarse' means to bathe or to take a bath, which can involve swimming but more broadly means immersing oneself in water for washing or leisure.
Yes, figuratively. Objects can 'nadar' if they float or are surrounded by something (e.g., 'La manzana nada en la sidra'). Abstract concepts can also be used (e.g., 'nada en la duda' - he/she is full of doubt).
The gerund is 'nadando'. Example: 'Están nadando en la piscina.' (They are swimming in the pool.)