1.
to dance (traditional dance)
To perform a traditional or ceremonial dance, especially in Japanese performing arts.
巫女が神前で舞っている。
A shrine maiden is dancing before the altar.
能の舞台で美しく舞った。
She danced beautifully on the Noh stage.
祭りで地元の人たちが伝統的な踊りを舞った。
Local people performed traditional dances at the festival.
2.
to flutter; to whirl; to swirl
When something light moves through the air in a dancing motion, such as leaves, snow, or petals.
桜の花びらが風に舞っている。
Cherry blossom petals are fluttering in the wind.
雪が舞い散る中を歩いた。
I walked while snow swirled and scattered around me.
落ち葉が風に舞い上がって、空に消えていった。
Fallen leaves swirled up in the wind and disappeared into the sky.
舞う is an intransitive verb (自動詞). There is no direct transitive pair.
ASPECT ({ている}):
舞っている indicates an ongoing dancing or fluttering motion.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 花びらが舞う - petals flutter
- 雪が舞う - snow swirls
- 落ち葉が舞う - fallen leaves flutter
- 舞い上がる - to soar up, to be elated
- 舞い散る - to flutter and scatter
舞う VS 踊る:
舞う refers to graceful, flowing movements often associated with traditional or ceremonial dances, while 踊る is the general word for dancing and covers more energetic, modern styles.