浮(う)く

うく
godan verb
to float, to rise to the surface
1. to float
To remain on the surface of a liquid without sinking.
木(き)の葉(は)が水(みず)に浮(う)いている。
Leaves are floating on the water.
油(あぶら)は水(みず)に浮(う)く。
Oil floats on water.
空(そら)に雲(くも)が浮(う)いている。
Clouds are floating in the sky.
2. to be saved (money, time)
To have something left over or be economized.
この方法(ほうほう)なら時間(じかん)が浮(う)く。
This method will save time.
自炊(じすい)すれば食費(しょくひ)が浮(う)く。
If you cook for yourself, you can save on food costs.
会議(かいぎ)がなくなって午後(ごご)の時間(じかん)が浮(う)いた。
The meeting was canceled and my afternoon freed up.
3. to feel out of place
To stand out awkwardly, not fit in with surroundings.
彼(かれ)はパーティーで浮(う)いていた。
He felt out of place at the party.
一人(ひとり)だけスーツで浮(う)いていた。
I was the only one in a suit and stuck out.
あの発言(はつげん)のせいでグループの中(なか)で浮(う)いてしまった。
Because of that remark, I ended up feeling out of place in the group.

浮(う)く is an intransitive verb meaning to float or rise up.

TRANSITIVITY:

  • Type: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive)
  • Pair: 浮(う)かべる (transitive, to set afloat)

ASPECT (ている):

  • 浮(う)いている means 'is floating' (ongoing state)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 水(みず)に浮(う)く: to float on water
  • 浮(う)いた話(はなし): idle talk, rumors
  • 浮(う)き沈(しず)み: ups and downs

RELATED:

  • 浮(う)かぶ: to float, to come to mind

Related Words

Pair verb: 浮(う)かべる (transitive)
general
Added 2026.1.13 9:40 · Revised 2026.2.19 23:52
00000/00413_uku