German Phrase
Ich schwimme gern Bahnen.
Meaning
The sentence means “I like to swim laps.” It conveys a personal preference for the activity of swimming multiple lengths of a pool, rather than just swimming in general.
When to use
Use this phrase when you talk about your favourite sport, describe a regular fitness routine, or answer a question about what you enjoy doing in your free time.
✦Grammar Breakdown
IchschwimmegernBahnen
Personal Pronoun
"Ich" is the first‑person singular pronoun, used as the subject of the verb.
Verb Conjugation
"schwimme" is the present‑tense, 1st‑person singular form of the verb *schwimmen* (to swim).
Adverb *gern*
*gern* (or *gerne*) means “gladly / like to”. It normally follows the verb it modifies.
Plural Noun *Bahnen*
*Bahnen* is the plural of *Bahn* in the sense of “lap” (a length of the pool). No article is used when talking about swimming laps in general.
🗨In Conversation
Was machst du gern in deiner Freizeit?
What do you like to do in your free time?
Ich schwimme gern Bahnen.
I like to swim laps.
✕Common Mistakes
Ich schwimme gern die Bahnen.
When referring to swimming laps, the noun is used without an article.
Ich schwimme gern Bahn.
The singular *Bahn* means a lane, not the activity of doing multiple laps.
Ich schwimme gern gern Bahnen.
Avoid repeating the adverb; one *gern* (or *gerne*) is enough.
↔Alternatives
Ich schwimme gerne Bahnen.
I like to swim laps.
Ich gehe gern schwimmen.
I like to go swimming.
Ich schwimme oft Bahnen.
I often swim laps.
Cultural Tip
In German swimming pools the activity is usually described as *Bahnen schwimmen* (swimming laps). Both *gern* and *gerne* are correct; *gerne* is a bit more formal. When you talk about a specific lane you would say *die Bahn*, but for the activity of doing laps the noun stays without an article.