Translation guide
The English word "swing" covers a wide range of actions and concepts, from physical motion to changes in state. This guide breaks it down into practical meanings and shows how to express each naturally in Japanese.
Describing something that hangs and moves rhythmically, like a pendulum, a swing at a playground, or your arms while walking.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to sway', 'to swing', 'to shake'. Used for objects that move back and forth on their own or due to external force.
The tree branches are swinging in the wind.
Transitive verb meaning 'to swing something', 'to shake'. Used when someone causes the swinging motion.
Adverb/verb meaning 'to dangle', 'to swing loosely'. Often used for limbs or hanging objects moving idly.
He sat swinging his legs.
Describing the action of swinging an object through the air, often in sports or combat.
Transitive verb meaning 'to swing', 'to wave', 'to shake'. The most common word for swinging a bat, racket, sword, etc.
Describing a shift in feelings, votes, or trends.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to change'. Simple and natural for describing a swing in mood or opinion.
Describing a smooth, arcing movement, like a car turning into a driveway or a door opening.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to turn', 'to bend'. Used for vehicles or paths changing direction.
Describing the act of throwing a punch.
Referring to the activity of using a swing set.
Literally 'ride on a swing'. The standard way to say 'play on the swings'.
Referring to the genre of jazz music or the dance.
The loanword スイング is mainly used in sports (golf, baseball) and music. Using it for a playground swing or a door swinging open sounds unnatural.
揺れる (intransitive) is for something that swings by itself or is passively moving. 振る (transitive) is for swinging an object purposefully. Compare: 枝が揺れる (the branch swings) vs. バットを振る (swing a bat).
The swing is swinging.
He swung the swing.
バットを振る。
Swing a bat.
He swung his sword around.
Transitive verb meaning 'to swing around', 'to brandish'. Implies wild or forceful swinging.
The child is swinging a stick around.
Loanword from English, used mainly in sports contexts like golf or baseball. Sounds technical or sporty.
Practice your golf swing.
My mood swung completely.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to waver', 'to swing back and forth' between options or emotions.
His opinion is still swinging back and forth.
Literally 'change suddenly'. A straightforward way to express a swing.
The situation swung suddenly.
The car swung around the corner.
Means 'to move quickly/smoothly'. Can describe a door swinging open or a person swinging into action.
The door swung open.
Compound verb meaning 'to swing at (someone)', 'to try to punch'. Implies an aggressive attempt to hit.
He took a swing at me.
Literally 'throw a punch'. Common in boxing or fight contexts.
He swung a powerful punch.
The children are swinging on the swings in the park.
Literally 'row/pump a swing'. Emphasizes the pumping motion to keep swinging.
Swing higher! (lit. Pump the swing harder!)
Katakana loanword for the music/dance style. Widely understood.
I like swing jazz.
Mood swings are tough.
気分の浮き沈み is a common phrase for emotional ups and downs.