Definition
漂 (piāo) means 'to float/drift' on water or in air, focusing on the movement itself. Its homophone 飘 (piāo) also means 'to float' but often describes a lighter, more graceful motion (e.g., clouds, flags). The compounds 漂浮/飘浮 (piāo fú) emphasize the state of being buoyant, while 漂流 (piāo liú) stresses being carried by a current.
verb
to floatto drift
Easily confused
- 票piàosound-aliketicket
- 飘piāosound-alike(verb) to float (in air or water)
Examples
- 。Zhǐchuán zài hé lǐ shùn shuǐ piāo.The paper boat drifts downstream in the river.
- 漂。Shuǐmiàn shàng yǒu jǐ piàn shùyè zài mànmàn piāo.There are a few leaves drifting slowly on the water surface.
- 漂。Yí piàn luòyè piāo dào le hú zhōngyāng.A fallen leaf floated to the center of the lake.
Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.