飘 (piāo) - To float & to drift
飘 · piāo
To float;
to drift;
to flutter;
to wave;
to be blown about by wind.
To floatto driftto flutter
Usage highlights
To float and driftTo flutter and waveTo drift awayTo drift with the windSnowflakes driftingFloating in the air
Usage & contexts
Examples
- The leaves are floating in the wind (树叶在风中飘).
- Snowflakes drifted down gently (雪花轻轻飘落).
- The flag flutters in the breeze (旗帜在微风中飘扬).
- Her long hair was blowing in the wind (她的长发随风飘动).
Collocations
- To float and drift(飘浮)
- To flutter and wave(飘扬)
- To drift away(飘走)
- To drift with the wind(随风飘)
- Snowflakes drifting(雪花飘)
- Floating in the air(飘在空中)
Idioms
- Drifting about, wandering aimlessly(飘泊不定)
- Floating and sinking unpredictably(飘浮不定)
- Elegant and graceful bearing(风度飘逸)
- Floating like a dream(飘若浮梦)
- Drifting with the wind and scattering like clouds(飘风骤雨)
Cultural background
FAQ- Often associated with freedom, detachment, and effortless movement in Chinese poetry and literature.
- Frequently used to describe natural phenomena like falling leaves, snow, or petals moving with the wind.
- Can carry connotations of transience and impermanence in philosophical contexts.