漂流(ひょうりゅう)

ひょうりゅう
noun, suru verb
drifting, being adrift
1. drifting, being adrift, floating aimlessly
Floating on water without direction or control, carried by currents or wind. Used for ships, people, or debris adrift at sea. Also used figuratively for wandering through life without direction.
船(ふね)が海(うみ)を漂流(ひょうりゅう)していた。
A boat was drifting on the sea.
漂流(ひょうりゅう)物(ぶつ)が海岸(かいがん)に流(なが)れ着(つ)いた。
Drifting debris washed ashore.
遭難者(そうなんしゃ)は三日間(みっかかん)漂流(ひょうりゅう)した後(あと)、救助(きゅうじょ)された。
The survivors were rescued after drifting for three days.

USAGE:
Often appears in news about maritime incidents and rescue operations. Also used as a literary or philosophical metaphor for aimless wandering through life.

The famous novel by Daniel Defoe is known in Japanese as ロビンソン・クルーソーの漂流記(ひょうりゅうき) (Robinson Crusoe's account of being adrift).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 漂流(ひょうりゅう)する: to drift, to be adrift
  • 漂流(ひょうりゅう)物(ぶつ): drifting debris, flotsam
  • 漂流記(ひょうりゅうき): account of drifting/castaway story
  • 漂流(ひょうりゅう)生活(せいかつ): life adrift
general
Added 2026.2.24 19:00
13000/13338_hyouryuu