浮
floating, float, rise to surface
Readings
On'yomi
- フ
Kun'yomi
- う.く
- う.かれる
- う.かぶ
- う.かべる
Nanori
- うき
Meaning
浮 centers on the idea of buoyancy and lightness: something that floats on a surface, rises upward, or has a carefree, elevated mood.
Most common words using 浮
20 of 213- 浮気うわきN1
extramarital sex; affair; fooling around
- 浮かぶうかぶN3
to float; to be suspended
- 浮くうくN3
to float
- 浮上ふじょう
surfacing; rising to the surface
- 浮かべるうかべるN2
to float; to set afloat; to launch
- 浮遊ふゆう
floating; drifting; suspension
- 浮きうき
floating; buoyancy
- 浮かれるうかれるN1
to make merry; to be festive
- 浮腫むくみ
swelling; edema; oedema; dropsy
- 浮き彫りうきぼり
relief; embossed carving
- 浮世絵うきよえ
ukiyo-e; ukiyoe; Edo-period woodblock print
- 思い浮かべるおもいうかべるN2
to remember; to recall; to call to mind
- 浮浪ふろう
vagrancy; vagabondage; wander around
- 浮かび上がるうかびあがる
to rise to the surface
- 浮世うきよ
fleeting life; this transient world; floating world
- 浮動ふどう
floating
- 浮き沈みうきしずみ
ups and downs; bobbing up and down; rising and falling; ebbing and flowing
- 浮力ふりょくN1
buoyancy; floating power
- 浮かすうかす
to float
- 浮揚ふよう
floating (e.g. in air, water); floatation; buoyancy; buoying up (e.g. economy)
Study
Etymology
浮 combines 氵 (water) with 孚, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of something light or buoyant. The exact historical development of 孚 is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
Water 氵 and a light, child-like shape 孚 (with 子 and 爪) suggest something bobbing on the surface: a child's hand gently keeping a toy afloat.
Reading mnemonic
For フ, imagine a floating feather: the 'fu' sound of a light puff of air keeps it on the water.