1.
to float, to rise to the surface
To stay on the surface of water or other liquid without sinking.
木の葉が水に浮かんでいる。
Leaves are floating on the water.
雲が空に浮かんでいる。
Clouds are floating in the sky.
池にボートが浮かんでいるのが見える。
I can see a boat floating on the pond.
2.
to come to mind, to occur to
For an idea, thought, or image to suddenly appear in one's consciousness.
いい考えが浮かんだ。
A good idea came to mind.
昔の思い出が浮かんできた。
Old memories came to mind.
名前が思い浮かばない。
I can't recall the name.
3.
to appear (on one's face)
For an expression to show on someone's face.
彼の顔に笑みが浮かんだ。
A smile appeared on his face.
不安な表情が顔に浮かんだ。
An anxious expression appeared on his face.
涙を浮かべながら話していた。
She was speaking with tears in her eyes.
浮かぶ means to float or to come to mind.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: Intransitive (自動詞)
- Pair: 浮かべる (transitive - to float something, to bring to mind)
- Pattern: Xが浮かぶ
ASPECT:
- 浮かんでいる: Is floating / has come to mind (state)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 頭に浮かぶ (to come to mind)
- 考えが浮かぶ (an idea occurs)
- 思い浮かぶ (to recall, to come to mind)
- 顔に浮かぶ (to appear on one's face)
- 水に浮かぶ (to float on water)