flutter and sway; drift and toss about
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to flutter and sway; to be blown about by the wind
literaryDescribes the gentle, floating movement of light objects like clouds, smoke, or flags in the wind. Used in classical or poetic contexts.
Shān山
dǐng顶
de的
yún云
yān烟
piāo飘
yáo飖
，
wǎn宛
rú如
xiān仙
jìng境
。
The clouds and mist on the mountain peak drifted and swayed, like a fairyland.
Wǔ五
cǎi彩
de的
jīng经
fān幡
zài在
fēng风
zhōng中
piāo飘
yáo飖
。
The colorful prayer flags fluttered in the wind.
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Qiū秋
qiān千
shàng上
de的
nǚ女
hái孩
qún裙
jū裾
piāo飘
yáo飖
。
The girl on the swing had her skirt fluttering.
verb
to drift and toss about; to be unstable and adrift
literaryMetaphorically describes a life or situation that is unstable, rootless, or tossed about by circumstances (like wind and rain). Used in classical or poetic contexts.
Tā他
de的
yī一
shēng生
fēng风
yǔ雨
piāo飘
yáo飖
，
lì历
jīng经
kǎn坎
kě坷
。
His life was like drifting in wind and rain, full of hardships.
Zhàn战
luàn乱
nián年
dài代
，
bǎi百
xìng姓
rú如
fú浮
píng萍
bān般
piāo飘
yáo飖
。
In times of war, the common people drifted like duckweed.
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Tā她
de的
nèi内
xīn心
shì世
jiè界
piāo飘
yáo飖
bù不
dìng定
。
Her inner world is restless and unsettled.