godan verb (-su), transitive verb
let swim; make swim; release into water
Causative-like transitive verb meaning to allow or cause someone/something to swim, or to release fish into water. Often used for setting fish free or letting children swim.
See also: 泳がせる
子供たちをプールで泳がす。
I let the children swim in the pool.
釣った魚を川に
I released the caught fish into the river.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
make stumble; make stagger; make lurch
Used when causing someone to lose balance and stagger forward, often by pushing or tripping. Less common than the swimming sense.
酔っ払いを後ろから押して泳がす。
I push the drunk from behind and make him stagger forward.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
let roam freely; leave at large; allow to move about
Figurative use, often in law enforcement contexts: to let a suspect move freely while under surveillance, or to leave someone at large. Also used for letting something move about in a space.
警察は容疑者をしばらく泳がすことにした。
The police decided to let the suspect roam freely for a while.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
wave about; move about in the air
Describes moving one's arms or other objects loosely in the air, as if swimming. Often used with body parts like 腕.
彼は両腕を空中に泳がせて喜びを表した。
He waved both arms in the air to express his joy.