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B2 verb #15,000 am häufigsten 11 Min. Lesezeit

breaststroke

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Erklärung breaststroke in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'breaststroke' is a word you learn when talking about hobbies or sports. It is a 'style of swimming.' You can say, 'I swim breaststroke.' It looks like a frog. It is easy because you can keep your head up. You use your arms and legs at the same time. Many children learn this first. You might see it in a picture book about a pool. At this level, don't worry about the hard rules. Just know it is a way to move in the water. It is slower than other ways, but it is very stable. You use it when you want to look around or talk to a friend in the water. It is a common word for anyone who goes to the beach or the pool. You can say 'He is breaststroking' to describe what someone is doing right now. It is a helpful word for describing a simple activity in English.

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At the A2 level, you can use 'breaststroke' to describe your abilities. For example, 'I can breaststroke, but I cannot do the butterfly.' You understand that it involves a specific 'kick' and 'pull.' You might use it when talking about your summer vacation or a fitness routine. It is a regular verb, so you can say 'Yesterday, I breaststroked for twenty minutes.' You begin to see it as one of the four main swimming styles. You might also learn that it is often called the 'frog stroke' by beginners. You can use it in sentences with adverbs like 'slowly' or 'well.' It is a useful word for basic social interactions at a leisure center. You might hear a lifeguard say, 'Please breaststroke in this lane,' to keep the fast swimmers in a different area. It helps you be more specific than just using the word 'swim.'

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At the B1 level, you use 'breaststroke' more technically. You can explain how to do it: 'To breaststroke, you must move your arms in a circle and kick like a frog.' you understand its advantages, such as being able to see where you are going. You might use it in a work context if you are writing a brochure for a sports club. You can use the word in different tenses comfortably. 'By the time I reached the end of the pool, I had been breaststroking for ten minutes.' You also start to recognize it in news stories about the Olympics. You understand that it requires more coordination than the dog paddle. You might discuss the health benefits, like how breaststroking is good for your chest and leg muscles. It is a word that allows you to participate in more detailed conversations about physical health and exercise routines.

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At the B2 level, 'breaststroke' is used with precision. You understand the nuances of the stroke, such as the 'glide phase' and the importance of 'streamlining.' You can use the verb in more complex sentence structures, like 'Breaststroking across the lake proved to be more exhausting than she had anticipated due to the strong current.' You are aware of the formal rules in a competitive context, such as the 'two-hand touch' at the wall. You can compare and contrast it with other strokes using sophisticated vocabulary. You might use it in a figurative sense in creative writing, though it remains primarily a literal term. You understand the word in the context of sports science, discussing how it impacts different muscle groups. You are comfortable using the word in both casual and semi-formal settings, such as a club meeting or a sports commentary.

At the C1 level, you use 'breaststroke' with a high degree of technical accuracy. You can discuss the biomechanics of the stroke, such as 'asynchronous propulsion' or 'hydrodynamic drag.' You might use the verb to describe subtle movements in a literary context: 'He breaststroked through the crowd, his arms sweeping people aside with the same practiced rhythm he used in the water.' You understand the historical evolution of the stroke and its significance in the history of the Olympic Games. You can read technical manuals or coaching guides that use 'breaststroke' as a verb to describe specific drills and corrective measures. You are sensitive to the register of the word, knowing when to use the verb form versus the noun phrase 'do the breaststroke.' Your usage is indistinguishable from that of a well-educated native speaker with an interest in sports.

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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over the word 'breaststroke.' You can use it to discuss the finest details of competitive swimming, such as the 'undulating motion' of the torso or the specific 'propulsive efficiency' of the whip kick. You can analyze the word's usage in various dialects and its role in the lexicon of professional athletics. You might use it in a highly metaphorical way in a philosophical essay or a complex piece of fiction. You understand the deep history of the term, from its early English roots to its current international standing in the FINA rulebook. You can effortlessly switch between the verb, noun, and related forms like 'breaststroker' or 'breaststroke-like' to convey precise meaning. Your command of the word allows you to discuss it in any context, from a casual chat at a pool to a scientific lecture on fluid dynamics.

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breaststroke in 30 Sekunden

To breaststroke means to swim using a specific technique where arms and legs move simultaneously in a circular, frog-like motion while lying on the chest.
It is widely considered the most stable swimming stroke and is the first style many beginners learn because it allows for easy breathing and visibility.
In competitive sports, the verb describes a strictly regulated action requiring a two-hand touch at turns and synchronized movements to avoid disqualification.
Grammatically, it is a regular verb (breaststroked, breaststroking) and is typically used intransitively to describe the manner in which someone moves through water.

To breaststroke is to engage in a specific swimming technique characterized by simultaneous movements of the arms and legs on a horizontal plane. Unlike the front crawl or backstroke, which rely on alternating limb movements, to breaststroke requires a high degree of coordination where both arms move in a heart-shaped pattern while the legs perform a 'frog kick.' This verb describes the act of propelling oneself through water using this method, which is often favored for its stability and the fact that it allows the swimmer to keep their head above water for better visibility and breathing control.

Technical Execution: When a swimmer decides to breaststroke, they begin with a glide, arms extended forward. The 'pull' phase involves sweeping the arms outward and then inward toward the chest. Simultaneously, the legs are drawn up toward the hips and then kicked out and back in a circular motion, mimicking the way a frog pushes through water. This synchronization is vital for maintaining momentum.

Even in the choppy waters of the lake, she managed to breaststroke calmly toward the shore, keeping her eyes fixed on the lighthouse.

Historically, the act to breaststroke is one of the oldest known forms of swimming, with depictions found in ancient Egyptian cave paintings. In modern contexts, people breaststroke during triathlons to save energy for the run, or in public pools to avoid splashing others. It is a versatile verb that encompasses both the competitive athlete perfecting their 'pull-out' and the casual vacationer navigating a hotel pool. The stroke is unique because the recovery phase of the limbs happens underwater, which creates more drag than other strokes but offers superior stability in rough water.

Social Context: In social swimming, you might hear someone say, 'Let's just breaststroke so we can keep talking.' This highlights the stroke's utility as a conversational pace-setter. It is the only stroke where the face can remain out of the water for the entire duration if the swimmer chooses, making it the least intimidating style for beginners.

The instructor told the children that if they wanted to see where they were going, they should breaststroke instead of attempting the crawl.

Professionally, the verb is used to describe the specific leg and arm timing required by FINA regulations. To breaststroke competitively, one must ensure the hands do not pass the hip line (except during the first stroke after the start and each turn) and that the feet are turned outward during the propulsive part of the kick. Failure to adhere to these 'breaststroke' rules results in disqualification. Thus, the verb carries weight in both the relaxed world of 'wild swimming' and the high-stakes environment of the Olympic Games.

Physical Impact: To breaststroke is an excellent full-body workout. It places significant emphasis on the pectorals, latissimus dorsi, and the inner thigh muscles (adductors). However, repetitive breaststroking without proper form can lead to 'swimmer's knee,' a strain caused by the whip-like motion of the legs.

He preferred to breaststroke during his morning laps because it felt more meditative and rhythmic than the aggressive freestyle.

If you breaststroke with your head too high, you might strain your neck muscles over time.

Watching the elite athletes breaststroke at the world championships reveals the incredible power hidden in that deceptively simple 'frog' kick.

Using breaststroke as a verb requires understanding its conjugation and its relationship with adverbs of manner. It is a regular verb (breaststroked, breaststroking). When you use it, you are focusing on the *how* of the swimming action. It often appears in the progressive tense to describe an ongoing activity in a pool or open water.

Transitive vs. Intransitive: Typically, 'breaststroke' is used intransitively. You don't 'breaststroke a lap'; you 'breaststroke *across* the pool' or 'do the breaststroke *for* a lap.' However, in casual sports jargon, it might occasionally take a distance as a direct object, though this is less common than 'swim.'

She breaststrokes so efficiently that she barely creates a ripple on the water's surface.

When describing a sequence of events, 'breaststroke' helps differentiate between styles. For example, 'He crawled for fifty meters and then breaststroked the rest of the way.' This usage clearly indicates a change in technique. It is also common in instructional imperatives: 'Breaststroke to the red buoy and then turn back.'

Adverbial Pairings: Common adverbs used with this verb include 'effortlessly,' 'rhythmically,' 'slowly,' and 'powerfully.' Because the stroke has a distinct rhythm (pull, breathe, kick, glide), the verb 'breaststroke' naturally pairs with words that describe tempo.

The veteran lifeguard breaststroked toward the struggling child with calm, measured movements.

In the context of training, you might hear: 'I want you to breaststroke with your fists clenched to focus on your forearm position.' Here, the verb is central to a specific drill. It can also be used figuratively, though rarely, to describe a slow, steady, and perhaps wide-reaching progress through a situation, though this is non-standard and highly creative.

Negative Constructions: In negative sentences, it often highlights a lack of skill: 'I can't breaststroke to save my life; I always end up sinking.' This emphasizes the technical difficulty of the leg-arm coordination.

They breaststroke in the ocean every morning, regardless of how cold the water is.

By the time she breaststroked to the middle of the pond, she was already out of breath.

Is it harder to breaststroke against the current or with it?

The verb breaststroke is most frequently heard in environments centered around aquatic activities. From the local leisure center to the Olympic natatorium, it serves as a precise descriptor for a specific set of movements. It is a staple in the vocabulary of swim coaches, lifeguards, and fitness enthusiasts.

At the Swimming Pool: Listen for it during lessons. A coach might yell, 'Don't breaststroke with your legs so wide!' or 'Try to breaststroke without making so much noise.' In these cases, the verb is used to provide immediate feedback on form and technique.

'If you breaststroke during the warm-up, focus on the glide phase,' the coach instructed the team.

In sports broadcasting, commentators use the verb to describe the progress of an athlete during a race. During the 200m individual medley, a commentator might say, 'He's starting to breaststroke now, and this is where he usually loses time to the leaders.' Here, the verb indicates a specific segment of a multi-style race. It provides a clear mental image of the transition from butterfly or backstroke into the breaststroke leg.

Health and Fitness Discussions: In physical therapy or fitness blogs, you might read about why one should breaststroke to improve heart health or recover from an injury. 'Patients with lower back pain are often advised to breaststroke with their head in the water to maintain a neutral spine.'

The documentary showed the indigenous hunters as they breaststroked silently through the reeds to catch waterfowl.

You will also encounter this word in literature or journalism when describing a scene by a body of water. A novelist might write, 'She watched him breaststroke across the moonlit lake,' using the verb to evoke a sense of steady, rhythmic movement that matches the serene setting. It is more descriptive than 'swam' because it specifies the grace and tempo of the action.

Competitive Jargon: In the world of competitive swimming, 'to breaststroke' is often shortened or used in compound terms like 'breaststroker,' but the verb itself remains the core way to describe the technical act of performing the stroke within the rules.

'I can't breaststroke as fast as I used to,' lamented the former champion at the reunion.

You could see her breaststroke with incredible power during the final lap of the relay.

The triathlete decided to breaststroke for a few meters to clear the water from his goggles.

While the verb breaststroke seems straightforward, learners and even native speakers often make technical and linguistic errors. The most common linguistic mistake is treating it as two separate words when used as a verb ('breast stroke'), which is generally incorrect in modern standard English. It should be written as a single compound word.

Tense Confusion: Some learners mistakenly use 'breaststroke' as an irregular verb. They might say 'he breaststruck' by analogy with 'strike/struck.' This is incorrect. The verb is regular: 'he breaststroked.'

Incorrect: He breaststruck to the edge. Correct: He breaststroked to the edge.

Technically, the most frequent 'mistake' described by the verb involves the 'scissor kick.' In competitive swimming, you are not allowed to breaststroke using a scissor kick (where the legs move like a crawl kick but on the side). If you 'breaststroke' this way in a race, you will be disqualified. Another technical error is the 'asynchronous' arm movement. To breaststroke correctly, your arms must move at the same time.

Prepositional Errors: Learners often struggle with which preposition to use. While you can 'breaststroke *in* the pool,' you 'breaststroke *across* the lake' or 'breaststroke *to* the shore.' Using 'at' (e.g., 'I breaststroked at the ocean') sounds unnatural.

Common Error: 'I am breaststroking the pool.' Better: 'I am breaststroking across the pool.'

Another confusion arises between the verb 'breaststroke' and 'sidestroke.' While they look similar to a beginner, the sidestroke is asymmetrical. If someone says they are 'breaststroking' but their body is turned to the side, they are using the wrong verb. Precision in sports terminology is important for clarity.

Pronunciation Pitfalls: Some non-native speakers over-emphasize the 't' in 'breast,' making the word sound disjointed. It should flow as a single compound: BREAST-stroke, with the primary stress on the first syllable.

She was disqualified because she didn't breaststroke with both hands touching the wall at the same time.

It's a mistake to breaststroke without ever putting your face in the water if you want to swim fast.

Don't breaststroke into the diving area; it's dangerous!

To expand your vocabulary, it's helpful to compare breaststroke with other swimming verbs. Each verb carries a different connotation regarding speed, effort, and style. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise communication.

Breaststroke vs. Freestyle/Crawl: To 'crawl' or 'freestyle' implies speed and efficiency. In contrast, to 'breaststroke' implies a more deliberate, stable, and perhaps slower pace. If a character in a book 'crawls' across a river, they are in a hurry. If they 'breaststroke,' they might be surveying the landscape.
Breaststroke vs. Butterfly: The 'butterfly' is the most physically demanding stroke. To 'butterfly' (as a verb) suggests extreme exertion and power. To 'breaststroke' is much more accessible and sustainable for long periods.

While he breaststrokes for leisure, his brother prefers to crawl for the intense cardio workout.

Other alternatives include more general verbs like 'paddle' or 'tread water.' To 'paddle' suggests a less technical, perhaps more dog-like swimming style. To 'tread water' means staying in one place vertically. Neither captures the specific horizontal, frog-like propulsion of the breaststroke.

Technical Synonyms: In very technical manuals, you might see 'execute the breaststroke technique,' but in 99% of cases, the verb 'breaststroke' is the most natural and efficient choice.

She chose to breaststroke because she didn't want to get her hair wet, a feat nearly impossible while doing the crawl.

In a competitive context, athletes are often categorized by the stroke they specialize in. A 'breaststroker' is someone who 'breaststrokes' as their primary event. This shows how the verb form underpins the identity of the athlete within the sport. Understanding these relationships helps you navigate conversations about swimming with much more confidence and accuracy.

If you can breaststroke well, you have a strong foundation for learning the more complex butterfly stroke later.

The old man would breaststroke every morning, his head held high above the morning mist of the lake.

Most beginners find it easier to breaststroke because the breathing rhythm is more natural than in freestyle.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The breaststroke is the oldest of all swimming strokes and was the only stroke used in the first modern Olympic swimming events in 1896.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ˈbrest.strəʊk/

US /ˈbrest.stroʊk/

Primary stress is on the first syllable: BREAST-stroke.

Reimt sich auf

best spoke west broke test joke rest woke guest folk chest smoke vest soak nest cloak

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it as two words with equal stress.
Adding an 'i' sound between 't' and 's'.
Pronouncing 'breast' like 'priest'.
Dropping the 'r' in 'stroke'.
Making the 'ea' in 'breast' sound like 'ee'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize in context, but the compound spelling can be tricky.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires remembering it is one word and a regular verb.

Sprechen 3/5

Pronunciation is generally straightforward for most learners.

Hören 2/5

Very distinct sound, rarely confused with other words.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

swim water arm leg pool

Als Nächstes lernen

butterfly (stroke) backstroke freestyle buoyancy propulsion

Fortgeschritten

hydrodynamics biomechanics synchronization endurance efficiency

Wichtige Grammatik

Regular Verb Conjugation

I breaststroke, he breaststrokes, we breaststroked.

Gerund as Subject

Breaststroking is excellent for cardiovascular health.

Compound Word Formation

Breaststroke is a closed compound noun/verb.

Adverb Placement

He breaststrokes slowly (Adverb after verb).

Infinitive after Verbs of Preference

I like to breaststroke in the morning.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

I like to breaststroke in the pool.

J'aime nager la brasse dans la piscine.

Simple present tense for a habit.

Can you breaststroke?

Sais-tu nager la brasse ?

Modal verb 'can' for ability.

The frog can breaststroke well.

La grenouille sait bien nager la brasse.

Adverb 'well' modifying the verb.

We breaststroke every Saturday.

Nous nageons la brasse tous les samedis.

Present simple for regular activity.

He is breaststroking now.

Il nage la brasse en ce moment.

Present continuous for action happening now.

Do not breaststroke in the fast lane.

Ne nagez pas la brasse dans la ligne rapide.

Imperative mood (negative).

She wants to breaststroke to the boat.

Elle veut nager la brasse jusqu'au bateau.

Infinitive after 'wants to'.

I breaststroke because it is fun.

Je nage la brasse parce que c'est amusant.

Conjunction 'because' connecting two clauses.

I breaststroked for ten minutes yesterday.

J'ai nagé la brasse pendant dix minutes hier.

Past simple of a regular verb.

It is easier to breaststroke if you relax.

C'est plus facile de nager la brasse si on se détend.

Comparative adjective 'easier'.

She learned to breaststroke when she was five.

Elle a appris à nager la brasse quand elle avait cinq ans.

Past simple with a time clause.

They were breaststroking when the rain started.

Ils nageaient la brasse quand la pluie a commencé.

Past continuous for an interrupted action.

You should breaststroke to keep your head dry.

Tu devrais nager la brasse pour garder la tête sèche.

Modal 'should' for advice.

He doesn't like to breaststroke in cold water.

Il n'aime pas nager la brasse dans l'eau froide.

Negative present simple.

Will you breaststroke in the race tomorrow?

Nageras-tu la brasse pendant la course demain ?

Future simple 'will' for a question.

I am breaststroking slowly today.

Je nage la brasse lentement aujourd'hui.

Adverb 'slowly' modifying the continuous verb.

If you breaststroke correctly, your knees won't hurt.

Si tu nages la brasse correctement, tes genoux n'auront pas mal.

First conditional sentence.

She has breaststroked across the entire lake before.

Elle a déjà traversé tout le lac à la brasse.

Present perfect for past experience.

I prefer breaststroking to doing the front crawl.

Je préfère nager la brasse plutôt que de faire le crawl.

Gerund used as a noun phrase.

The coach watched him breaststroke for three laps.

L'entraîneur l'a regardé nager la brasse pendant trois longueurs.

Verb of perception followed by bare infinitive.

You need to breaststroke with more power in your kick.

Tu dois nager la brasse avec plus de puissance dans ton coup de pied.

Infinitive of purpose/requirement.

He was disqualified because he didn't breaststroke properly.

Il a été disqualifié parce qu'il n'a pas nagé la brasse correctement.

Passive voice followed by a causal clause.

While breaststroking, remember to breathe every stroke.

En nageant la brasse, n'oublie pas de respirer à chaque mouvement.

Participle phrase for simultaneous actions.

I've been breaststroking for an hour and I'm exhausted.

Je nage la brasse depuis une heure et je suis épuisé.

Present perfect continuous for duration.

The athlete managed to breaststroke his way to a gold medal.

L'athlète a réussi à se frayer un chemin vers une médaille d'or à la brasse.

Idiomatic 'verb one's way to' construction.

Breaststroking requires a unique rhythm that differs from other styles.

Nager la brasse nécessite un rythme unique qui diffère des autres styles.

Gerund as the subject of the sentence.

He would breaststroke every morning, rain or shine.

Il nageait la brasse tous les matins, qu'il pleuve ou qu'il vente.

'Would' for past habitual actions.

Unless you breaststroke with a flat back, you'll create too much drag.

À moins que tu ne nages la brasse avec le dos plat, tu créeras trop de traînée.

'Unless' introducing a negative condition.

She was seen breaststroking toward the island at dawn.

On l'a vue nager la brasse vers l'île à l'aube.

Passive voice with a present participle complement.

Having breaststroked since childhood, he was incredibly efficient.

Ayant nagé la brasse depuis l'enfance, il était incroyablement efficace.

Perfect participle phrase indicating cause.

The rules state that you must breaststroke with simultaneous arm movements.

Le règlement stipule que vous devez nager la brasse avec des mouvements de bras simultanés.

Noun clause following 'state'.

It's fascinating to watch how the professionals breaststroke.

C'est fascinant de regarder comment les professionnels nagent la brasse.

Dummy subject 'it' with an infinitive phrase.

The swimmer's ability to breaststroke through turbulent waters was a testament to her strength.

La capacité de la nageuse à nager la brasse dans des eaux turbulentes témoignait de sa force.

Infinitive phrase modifying a noun.

He spent years refining the way he breaststroked to minimize resistance.

Il a passé des années à perfectionner sa façon de nager la brasse pour minimiser la résistance.

Relative clause with 'the way'.

To breaststroke effectively, one must master the subtle art of the whip kick.

Pour nager la brasse efficacement, il faut maîtriser l'art subtil du coup de pied fouetté.

Infinitive of purpose at the start of the sentence.

The documentary detailed how ancient civilizations would breaststroke for survival.

Le documentaire détaillait comment les civilisations anciennes nageaient la brasse pour survivre.

Indirect question used as an object.

Despite the fatigue, he continued to breaststroke with unwavering focus.

Malgré la fatigue, il a continué à nager la brasse avec une concentration inébranlable.

Prepositional phrase 'Despite...' for contrast.

Breaststroking, while often perceived as leisurely, can be incredibly taxing at a competitive level.

Nager la brasse, bien que souvent perçu comme un loisir, peut être incroyablement éprouvant à un niveau compétitif.

Gerund with an embedded concessive clause.

The instructor insisted that every student breaststroke at least one lap without stopping.

L'instructeur a insisté pour que chaque élève nage la brasse sur au moins une longueur sans s'arrêter.

Subjunctive mood after 'insisted that'.

Her technique was so refined that she seemed to breaststroke without any visible effort.

Sa technique était si raffinée qu'elle semblait nager la brasse sans aucun effort visible.

Result clause with 'so... that'.

The sheer elegance with which she breaststroked captivated the onlookers at the gala.

L'élégance pure avec laquelle elle nageait la brasse a captivé les spectateurs du gala.

Relative clause with 'with which'.

Should you choose to breaststroke in the open sea, be mindful of the shifting currents.

Si vous choisissez de nager la brasse en pleine mer, faites attention aux courants changeants.

Inverted conditional 'Should you choose...'.

The biomechanical analysis revealed that the way he breaststroked was fundamentally flawed.

L'analyse biomécanique a révélé que sa façon de nager la brasse était fondamentalement défectueuse.

Complex noun clause as a subject of the subordinate clause.

Rarely does one see an amateur breaststroke with such professional poise.

Rarement voit-on un amateur nager la brasse avec une telle assurance professionnelle.

Negative inversion for emphasis.

He had the uncanny ability to breaststroke silently, barely disturbing the surface of the water.

Il avait la capacité étrange de nager la brasse en silence, dérangeant à peine la surface de l'eau.

Infinitive phrase modifying 'ability'.

The nuance of how one breaststrokes can determine the outcome of a millisecond-finish race.

La nuance de la façon dont on nage la brasse peut déterminer l'issue d'une course qui se joue à la milliseconde.

Complex noun phrase as the subject.

By breaststroking rhythmically, she was able to maintain her heart rate within the target zone.

En nageant la brasse de manière rythmée, elle a pu maintenir sa fréquence cardiaque dans la zone cible.

Preposition 'By' + gerund for method.

To breaststroke with such vigor requires not just muscle, but an intimate understanding of fluid dynamics.

Nager la brasse avec une telle vigueur exige non seulement du muscle, mais aussi une compréhension intime de la dynamique des fluides.

Correlative conjunction 'not just... but...'.

Synonyme

swim stroke paddle move through water navigate the pool

Gegenteile

sink drown tread water

Häufige Kollokationen

breaststroke effortlessly

breaststroke rhythmically

breaststroke a lap

breaststroke toward

breaststroke competitive

learn to breaststroke

breaststroke slowly

breaststroke with power

breaststroke for exercise

breaststroke in tandem

Häufige Phrasen

breaststroke like a pro

— To swim the breaststroke with excellent technique.

After months of lessons, he can finally breaststroke like a pro.

breaststroke for miles

— To have great endurance in this specific swimming style.

She has the stamina to breaststroke for miles in open water.

just breaststroke

— A suggestion to swim casually or easily.

Don't stress about the speed; just breaststroke for a bit.

breaststroke the distance

— To complete a set distance using only the breaststroke.

He managed to breaststroke the entire distance of the English Channel.

breaststroke to the rescue

— To swim toward someone in need using this stable stroke.

The lifeguard breaststroked to the rescue of the tired swimmer.

breaststroke in the wild

— To swim this stroke in natural bodies of water like lakes or rivers.

There's nothing like breaststroking in the wild at sunrise.

breaststroke with your head up

— A specific way of swimming the stroke to maintain visibility.

If you breaststroke with your head up, you'll see the rocks ahead.

hard to breaststroke

— Refers to the difficulty of the coordination required.

It's hard to breaststroke when you are wearing heavy clothes.

breaststroke through the waves

— To navigate choppy water using this stable technique.

She had to breaststroke through the waves to reach the buoy.

breaststroke for your life

— An exaggerated way to say one is swimming as hard as possible.

When I saw the shark, I breaststroked for my life!

Wird oft verwechselt mit

breaststroke vs breast stroke (two words)

This is usually the noun form, but as a verb, it should be one word.

breaststroke vs sidestroke

A different swimming style that is asymmetrical.

breaststroke vs backstroke

Swimming on your back instead of your chest.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"to breaststroke against the tide"

— To struggle against a prevailing trend or opinion (rarely used, but understood).

In a company of innovators, he was breaststroking against the tide with his old ideas.

figurative

"a breaststroke of genius"

— A pun on 'stroke of genius,' referring to a brilliant move in a swimming context.

Changing his kick mid-race was a breaststroke of genius.

humorous

"to keep one's head above water"

— While not using the word 'breaststroke,' this idiom describes the primary advantage of the stroke.

He's just trying to keep his head above water with all these bills.

informal

"in the same boat"

— Often used in aquatic contexts to show shared struggle.

We are both breaststroking toward the same goal.

informal

"to take a stroke"

— To make a single movement in swimming.

Every breaststroke took him closer to the finish.

neutral

"smooth as a breaststroke"

— Describing something very rhythmic and calm.

The presentation was as smooth as a veteran's breaststroke.

metaphorical

"to go with the flow"

— Swimming in the direction of the current.

It's easier to breaststroke when you go with the flow.

informal

"sink or swim"

— A situation where you must succeed by your own efforts or fail.

In the deep end, it's sink or breaststroke.

informal

"the frog in the well"

— A metaphor for someone with a limited perspective (related to the frog kick).

He only knows how to breaststroke in his small pond.

literary

"to make a splash"

— To get a lot of attention.

She really made a splash when she breaststroked into the party.

informal

Leicht verwechselbar

breaststroke vs butterfly

Both involve simultaneous arm movements.

Butterfly arms move over the water; breaststroke arms stay under. Butterfly uses a dolphin kick; breaststroke uses a frog kick.

He tried to butterfly but ended up breaststroking because it was easier.

breaststroke vs crawl

Both are common swimming strokes.

Crawl uses alternating arms and legs; breaststroke uses simultaneous movements.

If you want to go fast, crawl; if you want to see, breaststroke.

breaststroke vs dog paddle

Both are beginner styles.

Dog paddle is unrefined and vertical; breaststroke is technical and horizontal.

She stopped dog paddling and finally learned to breaststroke.

breaststroke vs tread water

Both involve being in the water.

Treading water is staying in one place; breaststroking is moving forward.

He treaded water for a bit before choosing to breaststroke to the edge.

breaststroke vs breastbeat

Phonetically similar start.

Breastbeat means to lament or show off; breaststroke is a swimming verb.

Don't breastbeat about your loss; just breaststroke better next time.

Satzmuster

I can [verb].

I can breaststroke.

He [verb]ed yesterday.

He breaststroked yesterday.

If you [verb], you will [result].

If you breaststroke, you will stay dry.

[Verb]ing is [adjective].

Breaststroking is relaxing.

The way she [verb]s is [adjective].

The way she breaststrokes is magnificent.

Rarely do I [verb].

Rarely do I breaststroke in such cold water.

She is [verb]ing to [place].

She is breaststroking to the shore.

I have been [verb]ing for [time].

I have been breaststroking for an hour.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

breaststroke (the style)

breaststroker (the person)

Verben

breaststroke (to swim the style)

Adjektive

breaststroke-like

breaststroking

Verwandt

swimming

butterfly

backstroke

freestyle

aquatic

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in sports and recreational contexts; rare in general business or technical writing.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'breaststruck' as the past tense. → breaststroked
Breaststroke is a regular verb. Even though 'strike' becomes 'struck,' 'breaststroke' does not follow that pattern. Always use 'breaststroked.'
Writing it as two separate words: 'breast stroke'. → breaststroke
In modern English, especially when used as a verb, it should be a single compound word. This is the standard spelling in dictionaries.
Using a scissor kick while breaststroking. → A symmetrical frog kick.
A scissor kick (one leg higher than the other) is a technical error in breaststroke that leads to disqualification in races and is less efficient.
Pulling the arms back past the hips. → Arms should stop at the chest level.
Except for the start and turns, pulling your arms all the way to your legs while you breaststroke is incorrect and creates too much drag.
Breaststroking and kicking at the same time. → Sequential movement: Pull, then kick.
If you pull and kick simultaneously, you lose the benefit of the glide. The most efficient way to breaststroke is to separate the movements.

Tipps

Master the Glide

To breaststroke efficiently, you must maximize your glide. After the kick, keep your body in a straight line for a second to use the momentum. This saves energy and increases your speed significantly.

Protect Your Knees

When you breaststroke, don't kick your legs too wide. A narrow, powerful whip kick is better for your joints and more effective for propulsion. Always warm up your legs before a long session.

Watch the Pros

Watch videos of Olympic swimmers as they breaststroke. Pay close attention to their timing—they never pull and kick at the same time. It's a sequence: pull, breathe, kick, glide.

Keep Your Eyes Open

Because you can breaststroke with your head up, it's the best stroke for swimming in crowded pools or natural water where you need to avoid obstacles. Always look where you are going.

Use it as a Verb

To sound more like a native speaker, try using 'breaststroke' as a verb instead of always saying 'do the breaststroke.' For example: 'I'll breaststroke for this lap' sounds very natural.

Interval Training

Try to breaststroke fast for one lap and then slowly for the next. This 'interval' style of swimming is much better for burning calories and improving your heart health than swimming at one speed.

Talk and Swim

If you want to exercise with a friend, breaststroke is the perfect choice. You can keep your heads above water and have a full conversation while getting your daily workout in.

Use a Kickboard

If you struggle to breaststroke because of your legs, use a kickboard. Hold it in front of you and focus only on the leg movement until the 'frog kick' feels natural and powerful.

Check Your Tense

Remember that 'breaststroke' is a regular verb. If you did it in the past, you 'breaststroked.' Don't say 'breaststruck'—it's a common mistake that sounds very strange to native speakers.

Try the 'Pull-Out'

When you start a lap, try the 'long pull-out' underwater. It's the only time you can do a big butterfly-style pull while you breaststroke. It makes you feel like a professional swimmer!

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'BREAST' (chest) moving with a 'STROKE' (rhythm). Or remember 'B-R-E-A-S-T': Best Rhythm Ever At Swimming Today.

Visuelle Assoziation

Visualize a frog in a tuxedo swimming through a pool. The frog's legs are the 'kick' and the tuxedo chest is the 'breast'.

Word Web

Water Frog Pool Olympic Kick Glide Chest Rhythm

Herausforderung

Try to explain the 'pull-breathe-kick-glide' sequence to a friend using the verb 'breaststroke' at least five times.

Wortherkunft

The term is a compound of 'breast' (the chest area) and 'stroke' (a single movement). It appeared in English in the late 19th century as swimming became a regulated sport.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: A swimming movement performed on the breast/chest.

Germanic (English compound).

Kultureller Kontext

No specific sensitivities; a neutral sporting term.

Commonly taught as the first 'real' stroke after the dog paddle.

Adam Peaty's world records in breaststroke. The movie 'The Swimmer' (1968) featuring various pool scenes. Captain Matthew Webb, the first person to swim the English Channel, used breaststroke.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Swimming Pool

In which lane can I breaststroke?
I'm going to breaststroke a few laps.
Watch me breaststroke!
Don't breaststroke too close to me.

Competitive Meet

He's going to breaststroke in the medley.
She breaststroked to a new record.
Did he breaststroke legally?
The breaststroke leg is next.

Beach/Holiday

Let's breaststroke out to the rocks.
I love to breaststroke in the ocean.
It's too wavy to breaststroke here.
Can you breaststroke in salt water?

Fitness/Health

Breaststroke is good for your back.
I breaststroke to stay fit.
How many calories if I breaststroke for an hour?
My doctor said I should breaststroke.

Coaching/Lessons

Try to breaststroke without splashing.
You need to breaststroke with a better rhythm.
Don't breaststroke with your head so high.
We will learn how to breaststroke today.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Do you prefer to breaststroke or do the front crawl when you're at the pool?"

"How long can you breaststroke before you start to feel tired?"

"Did you learn to breaststroke as a child, or did you learn later in life?"

"I've heard that it's much harder to breaststroke in open water than in a pool. What do you think?"

"If you had to breaststroke across a wide river, do you think you could make it?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe the feeling of the water against your skin as you breaststroke through a quiet lake.

Write about a time you tried to breaststroke and found it more difficult than it looked.

If you could breaststroke like an Olympic athlete for one day, where would you go and what would you do?

Reflect on why the breaststroke is often considered the most 'social' of all swimming styles.

Compare the rhythm of your daily life to the rhythm of someone who chooses to breaststroke through a crowded pool.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It can be both. As a noun, it refers to the style of swimming ('The breaststroke is slow'). As a verb, it refers to the action of swimming that style ('I like to breaststroke'). Both are widely accepted in English.

The past tense is 'breaststroked.' It follows the regular rule of adding '-ed' to the end of the verb. For example: 'She breaststroked across the pool yesterday.'

In modern English, it is most commonly written as one word: 'breaststroke.' This applies to both the noun and the verb forms. Using two words is becoming increasingly rare and is often seen as a spelling error.

Yes, 'frog stroke' is an informal name for the breaststroke, especially when teaching children. However, in any official or adult context, 'breaststroke' is the correct term to use.

Yes, many recreational swimmers breaststroke with their head above water to breathe easily and see their surroundings. However, competitive swimmers put their faces in the water to reduce drag and increase speed.

It is called breaststroke because the swimmer is positioned on their 'breast' or chest while performing the 'strokes' or movements in the water. It emphasizes the frontal orientation of the swimmer.

Absolutely! Breaststroking provides a full-body workout, engaging the chest, shoulders, arms, and legs. It is also a great cardiovascular exercise that is relatively low-impact on the joints.

Most people find the coordination between the arm pull and the leg kick the most difficult part. Timing the breath so that it happens at the right moment in the cycle is also a significant challenge for learners.

You don't *need* them if you keep your head above water, but if you want to breaststroke correctly and efficiently by putting your face in the water, goggles are highly recommended to protect your eyes.

While it is the slowest competitive stroke, elite athletes can breaststroke very quickly. The world record for the 100m breaststroke is under 57 seconds, which is incredibly fast given the drag of the stroke.

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