漂浮 piāofú to float
to float; to hover; to drift (also fig., to lead a wandering life); to rove; showy; superficial
How to remember 漂浮: 漂 pretty + 浮 to float = to float.
Characters
How it is used
- To float on or hover above a surface - 树叶漂浮在水面上 (shùyè piāofú zài shuǐmiàn shàng) leaves float on the water's surface.
- Also a figurative criticism meaning shallow/showy: 工作作风漂浮 (gōngzuò zuòfēng piāofú) a superficial, not-down-to-earth work style.
- Compare 漂流 (drift along a current) and 悬浮 (xuánfú, suspended in air/liquid); 漂浮 emphasizes resting on top or lack of grounding.
Example sentences
- 木头会漂浮。 Mùtou huì piāofú.Wood floats.
- 油漂浮在水上。 Yóu piāofú zài shuǐshàng.Oil will float on water.