1.
to drift, to float
To move slowly on water or in the air without direction or purpose.
雲が空を漂っている。
Clouds are drifting across the sky.
木の葉が川を漂っていた。
Leaves were floating down the river.
小さな船が波に揺られて漂っていた。
A small boat was drifting, swaying with the waves.
2.
to hang in the air, to pervade
For a scent, atmosphere, or feeling to be present and noticeable in a space.
花の香りが漂っている。
The fragrance of flowers is wafting in the air.
不安な雰囲気が漂っていた。
An uneasy atmosphere was hanging in the air.
コーヒーの良い香りが部屋に漂ってきた。
The pleasant aroma of coffee wafted through the room.
TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞 (intransitive). No transitive pair. Pattern: Xが漂う (X drifts/floats).
ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing state. 漂っている = 'is drifting/floating.'
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 海を漂う (to drift on the sea)
- 空気が漂う (an atmosphere pervades)
- 香りが漂う (a scent wafts)
- 霧が漂う (mist drifts)
NUANCE: 漂う implies aimless, passive movement without control, often creating a poetic or atmospheric effect.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 浮く - to float (stationary on surface)
- 流れる - to flow (with direction)
- 舞う - to flutter, dance in air