浮动 fúdòng to drift about
to drift about; to move unsteadily; (figuratively) to fluctuate; to rise and fall; to be changeable; (economics) (of a currency or rate etc) to float
How to remember 浮动: 浮 to float + 动 move = to drift about.
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How it is used
- Means to float/drift, and figuratively to fluctuate - 汇率浮动 (huìlǜ fúdòng) the exchange rate floats/fluctuates.
- Economic use: 浮动利率 (fúdòng lìlǜ) floating interest rate, opposite of 固定 (gùdìng, fixed) - 固定利率 (gùdìng lìlǜ) fixed interest rate.
- Contrast 波动 (bōdòng, to fluctuate up and down); 浮动 stresses being unfixed/free to move, e.g. a floating price.