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A1 verb #4,000 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

nadar

Top 4,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces nadar en 30 secondes

Explication nadar in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'nadar' is introduced as a basic action verb used to describe hobbies and abilities. Learners focus on the present tense (eu nado, você nada) and the simple infinitive. The primary goal is to be able to say whether you like to swim, where you swim (pool or beach), and ask others if they know how to swim. Vocabulary is centered around 'piscina', 'praia', and 'mar'. At this stage, the focus is on literal meaning and simple sentence structures like 'Eu gosto de nadar'. Beginners also learn the basic distinction between 'saber nadar' (having the skill) and 'nadar' (the action). It is essential for forming basic 'about me' profiles and participating in introductory conversations about leisure activities.

At the A2 level, students expand their use of 'nadar' into the past and future tenses. They learn to describe past experiences, such as 'Ontem eu nadei no mar', using the Pretérito Perfeito. They also start using the Pretérito Imperfeito to describe habitual actions in the past: 'Quando eu era criança, eu nadava todos os dias'. The use of prepositions becomes more accurate, distinguishing between 'nadar em' for location and 'nadar para' for direction. Learners begin to understand simple compound sentences and can describe their swimming routines in more detail, including the frequency and with whom they participate in the activity. Basic health benefits of swimming might also be discussed.

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At the B1 level, 'nadar' is used in more complex grammatical structures, including the conditional and the subjunctive mood. For example, 'Se eu tivesse uma piscina, eu nadaria mais' or 'Minha mãe quer que eu nade com cuidado'. Learners can participate in longer discussions about the benefits of swimming for physical and mental health. They also begin to encounter common idiomatic expressions like 'nadar contra a maré' and 'nadar em dinheiro', understanding their metaphorical meanings in context. The vocabulary broadens to include different swimming strokes and more specific aquatic environments. Students can recount detailed stories involving swimming, such as a vacation mishap or a successful race.

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At the B2 level, 'nadar' is used fluently in a variety of contexts, including professional and abstract ones. Learners can debate topics like the environmental impact of swimming in natural habitats or the ethics of competitive sports. They are comfortable with the personal infinitive ('Para nós nadarmos bem, precisamos de treino') and can use the verb in formal writing. Idiomatic usage becomes more natural, and the nuances between 'nadar', 'mergulhar', and 'flutuar' are clearly understood and applied. B2 students can also understand more complex media, such as sports documentaries or news reports about swimming championships, without much difficulty. They can express subtle differences in meaning, such as the difference between a casual 'mergulho' and a serious 'sessão de natação'.

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At the C1 level, learners use 'nadar' with full linguistic flexibility, often employing it in sophisticated literary or rhetorical ways. They can appreciate the use of 'nadar' in Portuguese literature and poetry, where it might represent themes of existentialism or the passage of time. The verb is used effortlessly in all moods and tenses, including the more obscure ones like the Pluperfect. C1 speakers can use 'nadar' to describe complex social phenomena metaphorically, such as 'nadar num mar de burocracia'. They have a deep understanding of regional variations in how swimming-related terms are used across the Lusophone world, from Portugal to Angola to Brazil, and can adapt their register accordingly.

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At the C2 level, 'nadar' is just one tool in a vast arsenal of expression. A C2 speaker can use the verb with the precision of a native, including all its technical, metaphorical, and idiomatic nuances. They can engage in high-level philosophical discussions where 'nadar' serves as a metaphor for human agency or flow. Their understanding of the word's etymology from the Latin 'natare' and its historical evolution in the Portuguese language adds depth to their usage. They can write complex essays or deliver speeches where 'nadar' is used to evoke specific cultural imagery or emotional responses. At this level, the distinction between the learner and the native speaker is virtually non-existent in the use of this foundational verb.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

nadar en 30 secondes

Nadar is the Portuguese verb for 'to swim', used for both people and animals.
It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses.
Commonly used with the preposition 'em' (in) to indicate the body of water.
Beyond the literal, it features in several common idioms about wealth and effort.

The Portuguese verb nadar is a fundamental action verb that translates directly to the English 'to swim'. At its most basic level, it describes the physical act of moving through water by using one's limbs, whether for recreation, survival, or sport. However, in the Lusophone world, the act of swimming carries deep cultural significance, particularly in Brazil and Portugal, where the coastline plays a central role in daily life and national identity.

Physical Action: The literal use of nadar refers to any stroke, such as 'crawl' (livre), 'peito' (breaststroke), 'costas' (backstroke), or 'mariposa' (butterfly).
Recreational Context: Used when going to the 'piscina' (pool) or 'praia' (beach) to enjoy the water without necessarily being a professional athlete.
Metaphorical Usage: Commonly used in idioms like 'nadar em dinheiro' (to swim in money) to indicate abundance or wealth.

As crianças adoram nadar no mar durante as férias de verão.

(The children love to swim in the sea during the summer holidays.)

In terms of frequency, nadar is an A1 level word because it is essential for describing hobbies and basic physical abilities. You will encounter it in childhood stories, travel brochures, and fitness conversations. It is a regular '-ar' verb, making it one of the easiest verbs for English speakers to conjugate early in their Portuguese learning journey. Beyond the literal, it signifies a sense of freedom and connection with nature, especially in coastal cities like Rio de Janeiro or Lisbon, where 'ir nadar' is a common social invitation.

Eu nado mil metros todos os dias para manter a forma.

(I swim a thousand meters every day to stay in shape.)

Furthermore, the word appears in several proverbs that reflect the Portuguese-speaking world's historical relationship with the sea. For instance, the phrase 'nadar, nadar e morrer na praia' illustrates the frustration of working hard toward a goal only to fail at the very last moment. This shows how 'nadar' is deeply embedded in the collective psyche as more than just a physical movement but a metaphor for life's struggles and efforts.

Ele está nadando contra a maré ao tentar mudar as regras da empresa.

(He is swimming against the tide by trying to change the company's rules.)

In a professional or academic context, 'nadar' might be used to describe the locomotion of aquatic organisms in biology or the fluid dynamics in physics. However, for most learners, the focus remains on personal ability. Questions like 'Você sabe nadar?' (Do you know how to swim?) are standard icebreakers in summer settings. The verb is versatile, emotive, and foundational for anyone looking to navigate Portuguese conversations about health, travel, or sports.

Using nadar correctly involves understanding its conjugation as a regular '-ar' verb and knowing which prepositions typically accompany it. Because it is an intransitive verb (it doesn't require a direct object to make sense), it is often followed by prepositional phrases that indicate location or manner.

Preposition 'em': Used to specify the body of water. Example: 'Nadar no (em + o) rio' or 'Nadar na (em + a) piscina'.
Preposition 'para': Used to indicate a destination or purpose. Example: 'Nadar para a margem' (Swim to the shore).
Adverbial Modification: Used to describe the quality of the action. Example: 'Nadar depressa' (to swim fast) or 'Nadar suavemente' (to swim smoothly).

Nós nadamos no lago ontem à tarde.

(We swam in the lake yesterday afternoon.)

Conjugation is straightforward. In the present tense, it follows the pattern: *eu nado*, *você nada*, *nós nadamos*, *vocês nadam*. In the past (Pretérito Perfeito), it becomes: *eu nadei*, *você nadou*, *nós nadamos*, *vocês nadaram*. Note that 'nós nadamos' is identical in both the present and the past in Brazilian Portuguese, so context is key to determining the time frame. In European Portuguese, the past form 'nadámos' uses an accent to distinguish it.

Se eu tivesse tempo, nadaria todos os fins de semana.

(If I had time, I would swim every weekend.)

For more advanced usage, the personal infinitive (infinitivo pessoal) is common. For example, 'É importante nós nadarmos com segurança' (It is important that we swim safely). Also, consider the reflexive use, though rare, 'nadar-se' is not used; instead, we use 'banhar-se' for bathing. 'Nadar' is always about the action of propulsion. In the future tense, 'Eu vou nadar' is more common in spoken Portuguese than the formal 'Nadarei'.

Eles estão nadando na direção errada.

(They are swimming in the wrong direction.)

When describing a scene, the imperfect tense (*Pretérito Imperfeito*) is used for ongoing actions in the past: 'Enquanto eu nadava, vi um golfinho' (While I was swimming, I saw a dolphin). This tense is essential for storytelling and setting the stage in narratives. Mastery of these patterns allows the speaker to describe everything from a simple workout to a complex aquatic adventure with precision and natural flow.

The word nadar is ubiquitous in any setting involving water. In Brazil, with over 7,000 kilometers of coastline, the beach is a second home for many, and 'nadar' is a daily topic of conversation. You will hear it in casual settings, sports news, and even in safety warnings.

At the Beach (Na Praia): Lifeguards might shout 'Não nade longe da costa!' (Don't swim far from the shore!) to ensure safety against rip currents.
Sports Commentary: During the Olympics or Pan-American Games, commentators will discuss how an athlete 'nada com perfeição' (swims with perfection).
Health and Fitness: Doctors often recommend 'nadar' as a low-impact exercise for patients with joint issues or back pain.

O salva-vidas recomendou não nadar aqui devido às correntes fortes.

(The lifeguard recommended not swimming here due to strong currents.)

In popular culture, 'nadar' appears in many Brazilian 'música popular brasileira' (MPB) songs, often symbolizing freedom, cleansing, or the vastness of life. It’s also heard in children's songs like 'O Peixinho', which teaches kids about the movements of fish. In schools, 'aulas de natação' (swimming lessons) are a common extracurricular activity, so parents and teachers use the word frequently when discussing schedules and progress.

Você ouviu que o campeão vai nadar na prova de amanhã?

(Did you hear that the champion is going to swim in tomorrow's race?)

Furthermore, in the business world, you might hear 'nadar' used metaphorically during strategy meetings. A manager might say a company is 'nadando em águas calmas' (swimming in calm waters) to indicate a period of stability, or 'nadando com tubarões' (swimming with sharks) to describe a highly competitive and dangerous market environment. This versatility ensures that whether you are on a surfboard in Nazaré or in a boardroom in São Paulo, the word 'nadar' will be part of the linguistic landscape.

Muitos peixes costumam nadar perto dos corais.

(Many fish usually swim near the corals.)

Finally, social media is full of 'nadar'. Instagram captions for vacation photos often feature 'nadando no paraíso' (swimming in paradise) or 'apenas nadar' (just swimming). The word is evocative of relaxation and the quintessential 'férias' (vacation) vibe. Thus, hearing 'nadar' usually brings a sense of positivity, activity, or natural beauty to the listener's mind.

Even though nadar is a regular verb, English speakers often stumble on specific nuances and prepositional choices. Understanding these common pitfalls will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid confusion in aquatic contexts.

Confusion with 'Banhar-se' or 'Tomar Banho': In English, 'to go for a swim' can sometimes mean just getting in the water. In Portuguese, 'nadar' specifically implies the action of swimming strokes. If you just want to say you are going into the water to cool off, use 'entrar na água' or 'se refrescar'.
Preposition Errors: Learners often say 'nadar para a piscina' when they mean they are swimming *in* the pool. Remember: 'em' (no/na) for the location, and 'para' for the destination.
Saber vs. Poder: To express ability, use 'saber'. 'Eu não sei nadar' means you don't have the skill. 'Eu não posso nadar' means you have the skill but are currently prevented (e.g., the pool is closed).

Errado: Eu posso nadar muito bem. (Unless you mean you are allowed to).

(Correct: Eu sei nadar muito bem.)

Another frequent error involves the past tense of 'nadar' in European Portuguese. Portuguese learners often forget the accent in 'nadámos' (we swam), which distinguishes it from the present 'nadamos' (we swim). In Brazil, they sound the same, but in Portugal, the 'á' is open and the 'a' is closed. Neglecting this pronunciation/spelling difference can lead to confusion in written European Portuguese.

Errado: Eu gosto de nadar no mar para a praia.

(Correct: Eu gosto de nadar do mar para a praia / I like to swim from the sea to the beach.)

Lastly, be careful with the verb 'mergulhar'. While in English we might say 'I'm going for a swim' and then jump in, 'mergulhar' specifically means to dive or submerge. If you tell someone 'Eu vou nadar', they expect to see you moving across the surface. If you say 'Eu vou mergulhar', they expect to see you go underwater. Misusing these can lead to safety misunderstandings, especially in deep or murky waters.

Eu nadei ontem, não 'nadou'.

(Remember to match the verb ending to the subject: 'I swam' vs 'He swam'.)

Avoid overcomplicating the verb. Since it is regular, many students try to find irregularities where there are none. Stick to the basic '-ar' endings and you will be correct 99% of the time. The biggest challenge isn't the verb itself, but the surrounding vocabulary like 'touca' (swim cap), 'óculos de natação' (goggles), and 'sunga' (men's swim trunks in Brazil), which are essential for a complete conversation about swimming.

While nadar is the most common verb for moving in water, Portuguese offers a rich palette of related verbs that provide more specific details about the action or the context. Choosing the right one can make your speech more precise and natural.

Mergulhar: To dive or submerge. Use this when the action involves going underwater or jumping from a height. Example: 'Mergulhar de cabeça' (To dive headfirst).
Boiar: To float. This is the opposite of 'afundar' (to sink) and implies staying on the surface without active swimming strokes.
Flutuar: Similar to 'boiar', but often used in more poetic or scientific contexts. Objects 'flutuam' in space or water.
Banhar-se: To bathe or take a dip. Often used in literary contexts or to describe a casual, non-athletic interaction with water.

Em vez de nadar, eu prefiro apenas boiar e relaxar.

(Instead of swimming, I prefer to just float and relax.)

In a competitive sense, you might use 'disputar uma prova de natação' (to compete in a swimming race) instead of just 'nadar'. If you are talking about crossing a body of water, 'atravessar a nado' (to cross by swimming) is a more descriptive phrase. For instance, 'Ele atravessou o canal a nado' (He swam across the channel).

O pato nada calmamente no lago.

(The duck swims calmly in the lake.)

For those learning Portuguese for travel, knowing 'chapiscar' or 'brincar na água' (to play in the water) can be useful when describing children's activities. If you are talking about professional swimming, you'll need the names of the strokes: 'nado livre', 'nado de costas', 'nado de peito', and 'nado borboleta'. This adds a layer of technical proficiency to your vocabulary.

É perigoso nadar onde os barcos estão navegando.

(It is dangerous to swim where boats are sailing.)

Finally, consider the verb 'chapinhar', which means to splash or paddle about in shallow water. It is a very common word to use when talking about toddlers or puppies at the beach. By diversifying your water-related verbs, you move beyond the basic A1 level and start expressing the nuances of your experiences in the Portuguese-speaking world.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The root 'nat-' is also found in English words like 'natation' (the act of swimming) and 'natatorium' (a swimming pool building).

Guide de prononciation

UK /nɐ.ˈðaɾ/

US /na.ˈdaʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: na-DAR.

Rime avec

andar falar cantar mar lugar olhar amar estar

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'd' too hard like an English 'd'. It should be softer, with the tongue behind the upper teeth.
Stressing the first syllable (NA-dar) instead of the last.
In Brazil, making the final 'r' too trilled. It is usually more of a breathy sound.
Pronouncing the first 'a' as a bright 'ah' sound; it should be more closed/neutral.
Forgetting to pronounce the final 'r' entirely in casual Brazilian speech.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize and understand in text.

Écriture 1/5

Regular conjugation makes it easy to write correctly.

Expression orale 2/5

The final 'r' and the soft 'd' require some practice for perfect pronunciation.

Écoute 1/5

Clearly audible and usually distinct from other words.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

Água Eu Você Gostar Saber

Apprends ensuite

Mergulhar Praia Piscina Correr Saltar

Avancé

Braçada Correnteza Escafandro Hidrodinâmica Apneia

Grammaire à connaître

Regular -ar Verb Conjugation

Eu nado, tu nadas, ele nada, nós nadamos, vós nadais, eles nadam.

Use of 'Saber' vs 'Poder'

Eu sei nadar (skill). Eu posso nadar (permission/possibility).

Prepositional Contraction with 'em'

Nadar no (em + o) mar; Nadar na (em + a) piscina.

Personal Infinitive

É bom nós nadarmos juntos.

Gerund formation

Estou nadando agora.

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Exemples par niveau

Eu gosto de nadar na piscina.

I like to swim in the pool.

Simple present tense with 'gostar de'.

Você sabe nadar?

Do you know how to swim?

'Saber' indicates skill or ability.

O peixe nada no aquário.

The fish swims in the aquarium.

Third person singular present.

Nós nadamos no mar no verão.

We swim in the sea in the summer.

First person plural present.

Eles não nadam muito bem.

They don't swim very well.

Negative sentence in the present.

Ela nada todos os sábados.

She swims every Saturday.

Habitual action in the present.

Onde você prefere nadar?

Where do you prefer to swim?

Question with the verb 'preferir'.

Eu vou nadar agora.

I am going to swim now.

Immediate future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Ontem, eu nadei por uma hora.

Yesterday, I swam for one hour.

Pretérito Perfeito (simple past).

Quando eu era criança, eu nadava no rio.

When I was a child, I used to swim in the river.

Pretérito Imperfeito for past habits.

Eles nadaram até a ilha.

They swam to the island.

Past tense indicating a completed action.

Nós vamos nadar amanhã de manhã.

We are going to swim tomorrow morning.

Future plan using 'ir' + infinitive.

Você nadou na praia de Copacabana?

Did you swim at Copacabana beach?

Interrogative in the past tense.

Ela nadei muito rápido na competição.

She swam very fast in the competition.

Note: This is a common error example; should be 'nadou'.

Eu nunca nadei com golfinhos.

I have never swam with dolphins.

Negative past experience.

Nós nadamos no clube no fim de semana passado.

We swam at the club last weekend.

Past tense 'nadamos' (same as present in BR).

Se eu soubesse nadar, eu iria ao passeio de barco.

If I knew how to swim, I would go on the boat trip.

Imperfect Subjunctive + Conditional.

É importante que as crianças nadem com supervisão.

It is important that children swim with supervision.

Present Subjunctive after 'É importante que'.

Eu nadaria no mar, mas a água está muito fria.

I would swim in the sea, but the water is too cold.

Conditional mood.

Eles estão nadando contra a maré na política.

They are swimming against the tide in politics.

Idiomatic usage of 'nadar'.

Espero que você nade bem na prova de amanhã.

I hope you swim well in tomorrow's test/race.

Subjunctive mood expressing a wish.

Depois de nadar, eu sempre sinto muita fome.

After swimming, I always feel very hungry.

Infinitive after a preposition.

Ela disse que tinha nadado dez quilômetros.

She said she had swum ten kilometers.

Past Perfect (Tinha + Participle).

Nós nadávamos enquanto o sol se punha.

We were swimming while the sun was setting.

Imperfect tense for simultaneous past actions.

O atleta foi desclassificado por nadar de forma irregular.

The athlete was disqualified for swimming in an irregular way.

Passive voice and adverbial phrase.

Para nadarmos a travessia, precisamos de meses de treino.

To swim the crossing, we need months of training.

Personal infinitive 'nadarmos'.

A empresa está nadando em dinheiro após o novo contrato.

The company is swimming in money after the new contract.

Idiomatic expression for wealth.

Embora nadasse bem, ele não conseguiu vencer a correnteza.

Although he swam well, he couldn't overcome the current.

Concessive clause with the subjunctive.

O estilo de nadar dele é muito elegante.

His swimming style is very elegant.

Infinitive used as a noun.

Não nade em águas desconhecidas sem um guia.

Do not swim in unknown waters without a guide.

Negative imperative.

Eles nadaram, nadaram e morreram na praia no final do projeto.

They worked hard but failed at the very last moment of the project.

Proverbial usage.

A criança começou a nadar antes mesmo de andar.

The child started to swim even before walking.

Comparison of two actions.

A literatura permite-nos nadar em oceanos de imaginação.

Literature allows us to swim in oceans of imagination.

Metaphorical and literary usage.

O nadar sincronizado exige uma coordenação absoluta.

Synchronized swimming requires absolute coordination.

Substantivized infinitive.

Caso eles nadem até aqui, daremos o sinal de resgate.

Should they swim to here, we will give the rescue signal.

Future Subjunctive for hypothetical future.

Nadar em águas turvas é um risco que ele decidiu correr.

Swimming in murky waters is a risk he decided to take.

Metaphor for moral or legal ambiguity.

A sensação de nadar sob o luar é indescritível.

The feeling of swimming under the moonlight is indescribable.

Prepositional phrase 'sob o luar'.

Ele nadou contra a correnteza da opinião pública.

He swam against the current of public opinion.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

Oxalá todos pudessem nadar nestas águas límpidas.

If only everyone could swim in these clear waters.

Use of 'Oxalá' with the subjunctive.

O peixe parecia nadar sem qualquer esforço aparente.

The fish seemed to swim without any apparent effort.

Infinitive following the verb 'parecer'.

O existencialismo é como nadar num mar sem margens.

Existentialism is like swimming in a sea without shores.

Philosophical metaphor.

Nadar-se-ia com mais vigor se o prêmio fosse maior.

One would swim with more vigor if the prize were larger.

Conditional with mesoclisis (rare/formal).

A fluidez do seu nadar remete à elegância dos cetáceos.

The fluidity of his swimming refers to the elegance of cetaceans.

High-level vocabulary and comparison.

O nadar é a própria metáfora da resiliência humana diante do caos.

Swimming is the very metaphor of human resilience in the face of chaos.

Abstract noun usage of the verb.

Malgrado o cansaço, ele persistia em nadar rumo ao desconhecido.

Despite the tiredness, he persisted in swimming toward the unknown.

Use of 'Malgrado' (despite) for formal tone.

O nadar em águas profundas requer um autoconhecimento visceral.

Swimming in deep waters requires a visceral self-knowledge.

Psychological depth in usage.

Tão logo nadei os primeiros metros, senti a conexão com o oceano.

As soon as I swam the first meters, I felt the connection with the ocean.

Temporal conjunction 'Tão logo'.

O nadar, enquanto ato de liberdade, transcende a mera física.

Swimming, as an act of freedom, transcends mere physics.

Philosophical and poetic structure.

Collocations courantes

Nadar no mar

Nadar na piscina

Saber nadar

Aprender a nadar

Nadar rápido

Nadar de costas

Nadar de peito

Nadar livre

Nadar pelado

Nadar com golfinhos

Phrases Courantes

Vou nadar

— I am going swimming. Common way to announce the activity.

Tchau, vou nadar um pouco.

Vamos nadar?

— Shall we go swimming? A standard invitation.

O dia está lindo, vamos nadar?

Nade com cuidado

— Swim carefully. A common safety warning.

As ondas estão grandes, nade com cuidado.

Sabe nadar?

— Do you know how to swim? Checking for safety or skill.

Antes de entrar no barco, você sabe nadar?

Nadar um pouco

— To swim a bit. Indicates a casual duration.

Vou ali nadar um pouco e já volto.

Nadar todo dia

— To swim every day. Describes a routine.

Para emagrecer, eu tento nadar todo dia.

Nadar no raso

— To swim in the shallow area. Often said to children.

Fique aqui e nade no raso.

Nadar no fundo

— To swim in the deep area.

Ele é corajoso e gosta de nadar no fundo.

Nadar pelado

— To swim naked (skinny dipping).

Eles decidiram nadar pelados à noite.

Nadar de óculos

— To swim with goggles.

Eu só consigo nadar de óculos.

Souvent confondu avec

nadar vs Nada

Can mean 'nothing' or 'he/she/it swims'. Context is essential.

nadar vs Navegar

Refers to ships or boats, not the physical act of a human swimming.

nadar vs Banhar-se

More about bathing or dipping than the athletic movement of swimming.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Nadar em dinheiro"

— To be extremely wealthy. To have more money than one knows what to do with.

Desde que ganhou na loteria, ele está nadando em dinheiro.

Informal

"Nadar contra a maré"

— To go against the prevailing trend or public opinion. To take the difficult path.

Tentar ser honesto naquele setor é nadar contra a maré.

Neutral

"Nadar, nadar e morrer na praia"

— To work very hard toward a goal but fail at the very last moment.

Estudamos o ano todo, mas fomos reprovados. Nadamos e morremos na praia.

Informal/Proverbial

"Nadar de braçada"

— To do something very easily or to be far ahead of the competition.

Nesse mercado, a nossa empresa nada de braçada.

Informal

"Estar como peixe na água"

— To be very comfortable in a particular situation (related to swimming/water).

Na cozinha, o chef está como peixe na água.

Neutral

"Nadar em águas turvas"

— To be involved in a suspicious or morally ambiguous situation.

Aquele político costuma nadar em águas turvas.

Neutral

"Saber onde se está nadando"

— To be fully aware of the situation and the risks involved.

Eu conheço este negócio, eu sei onde estou nadando.

Informal

"Nadar com tubarões"

— To deal with dangerous or ruthless people, especially in business.

Para ter sucesso em Wall Street, você precisa saber nadar com tubarões.

Neutral

"Nadar no seco"

— To try to do something without the necessary resources or in an impossible situation.

Tentar vender sem produto é nadar no seco.

Informal

"Nadar de bico"

— To interfere in something that is not your business (regional/rare).

Pare de nadar de bico na minha conversa!

Slang

Facile à confondre

nadar vs Mergulhar

Both involve being in water.

'Nadar' is moving across the surface; 'mergulhar' is going under or jumping in.

Eu nado na superfície, mas mergulho para ver os corais.

nadar vs Boiar

Both involve staying on top of water.

'Nadar' involves active effort/strokes; 'boiar' is passive floating.

Eu estou cansado de nadar, agora vou só boiar.

nadar vs Afundar

Related to water movement.

'Nadar' is intentional movement; 'afundar' is unintentional sinking.

Se você não nadar, você vai afundar.

nadar vs Remar

Both are ways to move in water.

'Nadar' uses limbs; 'remar' uses oars (rowing).

Ele prefere remar o barco do que nadar.

nadar vs Flutuar

Synonym of boiar.

'Flutuar' is more formal/scientific; 'boiar' is common/casual.

O gelo flutua na água.

Structures de phrases

Eu gosto de nadar.

Eu gosto de nadar de manhã.

[Subject] sabe nadar.

Meu pai sabe nadar muito bem.

[Subject] nadei/nadou no/na [Place].

Ela nadou na lagoa ontem.

Quando [Subject] era [Age], [Subject] nadava...

Quando eu era jovem, eu nadava no mar.

Se eu pudesse, eu nadaria...

Se eu pudesse, eu nadaria todos os dias.

É importante que [Subject] nade...

É importante que você nade com calma.

Apesar de [Verb-ing], [Subject] nadou...

Apesar de estar cansado, ele nadou até o fim.

O ato de nadar permite...

O ato de nadar permite uma conexão única com a natureza.

Famille de mots

Noms

Natação (Swimming as a sport)

Nadador (Swimmer - male)

Nadadora (Swimmer - female)

Nado (The stroke or act of swimming)

Nadadeira (Fin/flipper)

Verbes

Nadar (To swim)

Sobrenadar (To float on top)

Mergulhar (To dive - related activity)

Adjectifs

Natatório (Relating to swimming, e.g., piscina natatória)

Nadante (Swimming/floating - rare/scientific)

Apparenté

Água

Piscina

Mar

Oceano

Rio

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely common in coastal regions; common elsewhere as a sport/hobby.

Erreurs courantes

Eu gosto nadar. → Eu gosto de nadar.
The verb 'gostar' always requires the preposition 'de' before an infinitive.
Eu nadei para a piscina. → Eu nadei na piscina.
Use 'na' (in) for the location. Use 'para' only if you are swimming toward the pool from somewhere else.
Ele pode nadar muito bem. → Ele sabe nadar muito bem.
Use 'saber' for skills/abilities. Use 'poder' for permission or physical possibility in the moment.
Ontem nós nadamos (in PT-PT). → Ontem nós nadámos.
In European Portuguese, the past tense 1st person plural requires an accent on the 'a'.
Eu vou nadar no mar amanhã. (Formal) → Nadarei no mar amanhã.
While 'vou nadar' is correct, 'nadarei' is the proper formal future tense for writing.

Astuces

Master the -ar endings

Since 'nadar' is regular, use it as a model for other -ar verbs like 'falar' or 'andar'. Once you know how to conjugate 'nadar', you know hundreds of other verbs.

Learn aquatic nouns

Pair 'nadar' with nouns like 'touca' (cap), 'óculos' (goggles), and 'prancha' (board) to expand your ability to talk about the activity.

Use 'Mergulho' casually

In Brazil, if someone invites you to 'dar um mergulho', they mean go for a quick swim. It's more common than saying 'vamos nadar' in social settings.

Understand warnings

Look for signs that say 'Proibido nadar' (Swimming prohibited) or 'Perigo' (Danger) on beaches to stay safe.

Money Metaphor

Use 'nadar em dinheiro' to describe someone very wealthy. It's a common and vivid way to express abundance.

Stress the end

Always stress the 'dar' part of 'nadar'. If you stress the 'na', it sounds like you are saying 'nothing' (nada).

Pool vs Sea

Remember that 'piscina' is feminine (na piscina) and 'mar' is masculine (no mar). Getting these right makes you sound much more fluent.

Listen for 'nada'

When you hear 'nada', check if there is a subject (He/She). If not, it probably means 'nothing'. 'Ele nada' vs 'Não tem nada'.

Past Tense in PT-PT

If writing for a Portuguese audience, use 'nadámos' for the past 'we swam' to show high-level proficiency.

Animal Action

Practice by describing what animals do: 'O golfinho nada', 'O pato nada', 'O tubarão nada'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'NAD' (like a 'Lad') who loves to swim in the 'AR' (air... but in water). Or remember: 'No aquatic danger' when you know how to 'NADAR'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a swimmer doing the crawl stroke, and with each breath, they shout 'NA!' and then 'DAR!'.

Word Web

Mar Piscina Natação Nadador Peixe Água Mergulho Praia

Défi

Try to conjugate 'nadar' in the past, present, and future while holding your breath, as if you were underwater!

Origine du mot

From the Latin verb 'natare', which is the frequentative form of 'nare' (to swim).

Sens originel : To swim, to float, or to be immersed in liquid.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Galician-Portuguese > Portuguese.

Contexte culturel

Be aware that not everyone knows how to swim; in some inland regions, 'nadar' might be less common than 'entrar no rio'.

In English, we often say 'go for a swim', whereas in Portuguese, we simply say 'vou nadar' or 'vou dar um mergulho'.

Cesar Cielo (Brazilian Olympic gold medalist in swimming) The song 'O Peixinho' (Traditional children's song) The poem 'Mar Português' by Fernando Pessoa (mentions the dangers of the sea)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At the Beach

A maré está boa para nadar.
Cuidado ao nadar no fundo.
Vou nadar até aquela boia.
Não nade sozinho.

At the Gym/Pool

A aula de natação começa às oito.
Preciso de óculos para nadar.
Quantos metros você vai nadar?
A água da piscina está aquecida.

Discussing Hobbies

Nadar é o meu exercício favorito.
Eu nado para relaxar.
Você prefere nadar no mar ou na piscina?
Aprendi a nadar quando tinha cinco anos.

Vacation Planning

O hotel tem piscina para nadar?
Dá para nadar naquela cachoeira?
Vamos levar as coisas de nadar.
Quero nadar com os peixes coloridos.

Safety Warnings

É proibido nadar aqui.
Perigo: não nade após as refeições.
Nade sempre onde há salva-vidas.
As correntes tornam perigoso nadar hoje.

Amorces de conversation

"Você gosta de nadar no mar ou prefere a piscina?"

"Com que frequência você costuma ir nadar?"

"Você se lembra de quando aprendeu a nadar?"

"Qual é o seu estilo de natação favorito?"

"Você já nadou em algum lugar muito exótico?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreva a sensação de nadar em águas abertas pela primeira vez.

Por que você acha que nadar é considerado um exercício tão completo?

Escreva sobre um dia perfeito de verão que inclua nadar na praia.

Como você se sente quando está nadando? É um momento de paz ou de esforço?

Se você pudesse nadar em qualquer lugar do mundo, onde seria e por quê?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, 'nadar' is a completely regular -ar verb in all tenses. This makes it very easy for students to learn. For example, in the present: nado, nadas, nada, nadamos, nadais, nadam.

You say 'Eu gosto de nadar'. Remember to always include the preposition 'de' after the verb 'gostar' when followed by an infinitive.

'Nadar' is the verb (the action), while 'natação' is the noun (the sport or the activity). For example: 'Eu nado' (I swim) vs 'Eu pratico natação' (I practice swimming).

Yes, 'nadar' is used for fish, dogs, ducks, and any other animal that moves through water using limbs or fins. 'O peixe nada' is a perfect sentence.

Usually 'em' (no, na, nos, nas) for locations like 'no mar' or 'na piscina'. You use 'para' for directions like 'nadar para a margem'.

You can use the phrase 'atravessar a nado'. For example: 'Ele atravessou o rio a nado' (He swam across the river).

Yes, metaphorically. 'Nadar em dinheiro' means to be very rich, and 'nadar contra a maré' means to go against the market trends.

The conjugation is mostly the same, but the 1st person plural past has an accent: 'nadámos' (past) vs 'nadamos' (present). In Brazil, both are 'nadamos'.

The main styles are: nado livre (crawl), nado de costas (backstroke), nado de peito (breaststroke), and nado borboleta (butterfly).

You can say 'Vou nadar' or 'Vou dar um mergulho'. The latter is very common in Brazil for a casual swim.

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