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.
The lamp is swinging in the wind.
The building swung violently in the earthquake.
Transitive verb meaning 'to swing something' or 'to shake something'. Use when someone causes the swinging motion.
He swung the rope.
Phrase meaning 'to ride a swing'. For the specific action of swinging on a playground swing.
The children are swinging on the swings in the park.
Onomatopoeic verb for dangling or swinging loosely, like arms or a pendulum. Casual.
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.
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.
This band is really swinging, isn't it?
Adjective meaning 'light and lively', often used to describe a swinging tempo or rhythm.
Dance to a swinging rhythm.
Referring to the practice of partner swapping or open sexual relationships, often in a social context.
The motion of swinging a sports implement to hit a ball.
Describing a door or gate that opens by swinging on hinges.
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.
Swing a bat.
(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.