Translation guide
The English word 'swinging' can refer to a back-and-forth motion, a lively rhythm, or a particular lifestyle. This guide covers how to express these ideas naturally in Japanese.
Describing something that moves repeatedly from side to side or back and forth, like a pendulum or a child on a swing.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to sway', 'to swing', or 'to shake'. Used for objects moving back and forth, like a hanging lamp or a boat on waves.
ランプが風で揺れている。
The lamp is swinging in the wind.
地震で建物が大きく揺れた。
The building swung violently in the earthquake.
Transitive verb meaning 'to swing something' or 'to shake something'. Use when someone causes the swinging motion.
彼はロープを揺らした。
He swung the rope.
Phrase meaning 'to ride a swing'. For the specific action of swinging on a playground swing.
子供たちが公園でぶらんこに乗っている。
The children are swinging on the swings in the park.
Onomatopoeic verb for dangling or swinging loosely, like arms or a pendulum. Casual.
腕をぶらぶらさせて歩く。
Walk with arms swinging loosely.
Referring to a rhythmic, energetic quality in music, especially jazz, or a general sense of being upbeat.
Loanword from English, used specifically for the swing style in jazz music. Also written as スイング.
この曲はスウィングのリズムがいい。
This song has a great swinging rhythm.
Phrase meaning 'has a good groove' or 'is lively'. Used for music that makes you want to move. Casual.
このバンドはノリがいいね。
This band is really swinging, isn't it?
Adjective meaning 'light and lively', often used to describe a swinging tempo or rhythm.
軽快なリズムに合わせて踊る。
Dance to a swinging rhythm.
Referring to the practice of partner swapping or open sexual relationships, often in a social context.
Loanword from English 'swapping', commonly used to refer to the swinging lifestyle.
彼らはスワッピングパーティーに行った。
They went to a swinging party.
Also used as a loanword for the swinging lifestyle, though less common than スワッピング.
The motion of swinging a sports implement to hit a ball.
Transitive verb meaning 'to swing' or 'to wave'. Used for swinging a bat, racket, sword, etc.
バットを振る。
Swing a bat.
彼は力いっぱいラケットを振った。
He swung the racket with all his might.
Loanword used as a verb, common in sports contexts like golf or baseball.
ゴルフのスイングを練習する。
Practice one's golf swing.
Describing a door or gate that opens by swinging on hinges.
Noun meaning 'hinged door' or 'swinging door'. Literally 'opening door'.
この部屋には開き戸がついている。
This room has a swinging door.
Loanword for 'swing door', often used in restaurants or Western-style buildings.
While 揺れる means 'to swing' in the sense of swaying, it is not used for swinging a bat or racket. Use 振る or スイングする instead.
バットを振る。
Swing a bat.
× バットを揺らす。
(incorrect for swinging a bat)
スイングするカップル
swinging couples
Push the swinging door to enter the kitchen.