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漂浮 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
漂浮
piāofú
to float
HSK 7, v, 24 strokes, rank #10519, Very Hard
漂浮
piāofú
to hover
HSK 7, v, 24 strokes, rank #10519, Very Hard
漂浮
piāofú
to drift (also fig., to lead a wandering life)
HSK 7, v, 24 strokes, rank #10519, Very Hard
漂浮
piāofú
to rove
HSK 7, v, 24 strokes, rank #10519, Very Hard
漂浮
piāofú
showy
HSK 7, v, 24 strokes, rank #10519, Very Hard
漂浮
piāofú
superficial
HSK 7, v, 24 strokes, rank #10519, Very Hard
piāofú(piao1fu2)piao fu T1
1to float
2to hover
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March 24, 2026
漂浮piāofú(piao1fu2)
漂浮 (piāo fú) means to float, hover, or drift in the air or water. It can also describe a wandering lifestyle or superficial qualities in a figurative sense. This word is commonly used to describe objects that are buoyant or situations that lack depth.
Strokes24Frequency#10519DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, floating can symbolize a carefree, leisurely lifestyle, often celebrated in poetry and art. The concept of 漂浮 can also reflect societal critiques of superficiality in modern life, where appearances often take precedence over substance.
Memory tip
Imagine a colorful balloon (漂) floating (浮) up into the sky. The balloon represents something showy or superficial, while its floating nature symbolizes a lack of grounding. The sound 'piao' can remind you of 'paddle' moving lightly over water, enhancing the image of floating.
Meanings of 漂浮
piāofú(piao1fu2)
1to float
2to hover
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 漂浮
漂浮Simplified
24Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#10519Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 漂浮
Podcast: 漂浮
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AI study notes for 漂浮
Quick Contrast
漂流 (piāoliú) - use 漂浮 when emphasizing a state of floating or hovering, while 漂流 refers to drifting with a current or movement through water.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the contexts in which you use 漂浮, as it can imply a lack of seriousness when referring to ideas or lifestyles. It's often used in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in a very serious discussion to prevent misunderstandings. Common collocations include 漂浮在水面 (float on the water surface) and 漂浮的云 (hovering clouds).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 漂浮 connects well with other vocabulary that describes movement or states, such as 飞 (to fly) and 滑 (to glide). Focus on practicing its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts to gain a deeper understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 漂浮 with 浮动 (fú dòng), which means to fluctuate or vary. For example, saying '他的情绪漂浮' (tā de qíngxù piāofú) is incorrect; it should be '他的情绪浮动', as emotions can fluctuate but not literally float.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 漂浮
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漂浮 (piāo fú) means to float, hover, or drift in the air or water. It can also describe a wandering lifestyle or superficial qualities in a figurative sense. This word is commonly used to describe objects that are buoyant or situations that lack depth.
When to use 漂浮
Be mindful of the contexts in which you use 漂浮, as it can imply a lack of seriousness when referring to ideas or lifestyles. It's often used in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in a very serious discussion to prevent misunderstandings. Common collocations include 漂浮在水面 (float on the water surface) and 漂浮的云 (hovering clouds).
漂浮 or something close to it
漂流 (piāoliú) - use 漂浮 when emphasizing a state of floating or hovering, while 漂流 refers to drifting with a current or movement through water.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 漂浮 with 浮动 (fú dòng), which means to fluctuate or vary. For example, saying '他的情绪漂浮' (tā de qíngxù piāofú) is incorrect; it should be '他的情绪浮动', as emotions can fluctuate but not literally float.
Write 漂浮
漂
浮
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Grammar patterns of 漂浮
漂浮 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我们拼命往外舀水，使它继续____了几个小时。
We kept her afloat for a couple of hours by bailing frantically.
Example sentences for 漂浮 (10)
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1
我们拼命往外舀水，使它继续漂浮了几个小时。
wǒmen pīnmìng wǎng wài yǎo shuǐ， shǐ tā jìxù piāofú le jǐ gè xiǎoshí。
We kept her afloat for a couple of hours by bailing frantically.
2
他们说起自己设法使油轮漂浮的英勇之举时非常谦虚。
tāmen shuō qǐ zìjǐ shèfǎ shǐ yóu lún piāofú de yīngyǒng zhī jǔ shí fēicháng qiānxū。
They talked modestly of their valiant efforts to keep the tanker afloat.
