Definition

Noun: * Doggy paddle: A basic swimming stroke where the swimmer moves their arms in a paddling or treading motion, similar to how a dog swims. It is often the first, instinctive stroke learned by children.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trẻ con thường học bơi chó trước tiên. (Children often learn the doggy paddle first.)
  • Khi mệt, anh ấy chuyển sang bơi chó để nghỉ ngơi. (When tired, he switched to the doggy paddle to rest.)
  • Cô bé đang tập bơi chó ở bể bơi nông. (The little girl is practicing the doggy paddle in the shallow pool.)

Advanced Usage

• The term bơi chó is used informally and descriptively. In formal swimming instruction, it is often referred to more technically as a basic survival stroke or introductory stroke.
• It can be used metaphorically to describe someone struggling or moving inefficiently in water (or figuratively in a task), though this is less common.
  • Dự án mới của họ chỉ mới bơi chó thôi, chưa có tiến triển gì. (Their new project is just doggy paddling; it hasn't made any progress yet.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bơi (v): to swim.
• Bơi ếch (n): breaststroke.
• Bơi sải (n): freestyle (front crawl).
• Bơi bướm (n): butterfly stroke.
• Bơi lội (n): swimming (as a sport or activity).

Synonyms

• Kiểu bơi chó: (literally) dog-style swimming. This is a direct synonym.
• Bơi theo kiểu vẫy tay: (descriptive) swimming by paddling/waving the arms.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Bơi như chó: (simile) to swim like a dog. This emphasizes the action rather than naming the stroke.
  • Nó không biết bơi đúng kỹ thuật, chỉ bơi như chó thôi. (He doesn't know how to swim properly, he just swims like a dog.)

1. To swim by paddling one's arms (tựa như chó)