01
schwimmend
floating / swimming
Located on the surface of water or moving through it without sinking.
example
Ein schwimmendes Hausboot liegt am Ufer des Kanals.
A floating houseboat is moored on the bank of the canal.
schwimmend
floating / swimming
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
'Schwimmend' (floating/swimming) is the present participle of the verb 'schwimmen' (to swim). This form is used as an adjective and describes an ongoing action or a state.
EXAMPLE
Einige Blätter trieben schwimmend auf dem Wasser.
Some leaves floated on the water.
Typical collocations
In the literal meaning, 'schwimmend' (floating/swimming) is often used for objects that are specifically built to be on the water. Typical examples are 'eine schwimmende Plattform' (a floating platform), 'ein schwimmendes Restaurant' (a floating restaurant), or 'ein schwimmender Markt' (a floating market).
EXAMPLE
In Thailand besuchten wir einen schwimmenden Markt.
In Thailand, we visited a floating market.
Financial terminology
This meaning belongs to the specialized language of business and finance. You can recognize it from nouns such as 'Wechselkurs' (exchange rate), 'Zinssatz' (interest rate), or 'Kapital' (capital). It means that the value is not fixed but adjusts to the market.
EXAMPLE
Viele Länder haben heute einen schwimmenden Wechselkurs ihrer Währung.
Many countries today have a floating exchange rate for their currency.
Figurative meaning
In the figurative sense, 'schwimmend' (vague) describes something unclear or evasive. It is used for abstract nouns such as 'Antwort' (answer), 'Aussage' (statement), or 'Formulierung' (wording).
EXAMPLE
Der Politiker gab nur eine schwimmende Antwort auf die Frage des Journalisten.
The politician gave only a vague answer to the journalist's question.
Compare with
schwimmend vs fest
firm / fixed
'fest' and 'schwimmend' form opposites in certain technical contexts. 'fest' then means that something is permanently set or tied to a value. 'schwimmend' means that something can change freely according to the market or the situation, for example an exchange rate or an interest rate. In this use, it is not about water, but about being tied down or being variable. 'fest' fits when a value has been agreed as stable; 'schwimmend' fits when the value is not fixed.
schwimmend
Bei einem schwimmenden Wechselkurs kann sich der Preis täglich ändern.
With a floating exchange rate, the price can change daily.
fest
Der Vertrag hat einen festen Zinssatz für die ersten fünf Jahre.
The contract has a fixed interest rate for the first five years.
In real life
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