godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
whirl; eddy; swirl; curl (of smoke)
Describes physical swirling motion of fluids, smoke, dust, etc.
川の水が渦巻いている。
The river water is swirling.
煙が渦巻いて空
The smoke curled up and disappeared into the sky.
godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
whirl (of feelings, thoughts); surge
Metaphorical use for emotions, thoughts, or abstract things swirling or surging.
不安が胸の中で渦巻いていた。
Anxiety was swirling in my chest.
様々な思いが頭の中を渦巻いた。
Various thoughts whirled through my mind.