Godan verb, intransitive verb

  1. to drift, to float.
  2. to waft (e.g. a scent), to hang in the air.
  3. to be in the air (e.g. a feeling or mood).
  4. to wander, to walk around aimlessly.
  5. to be unsteady, to be unstable. Archaism.
  6. to falter, to flinch, to wince. Archaism.
  7. to live in unreliable circumstances. Archaism.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
漂う ただよう

Contained Kanji Breakdown

drift, float (on liquid)
ただよ.う ヒョウ (8th, N1)
water, water radical (no. 85)
さんずい
ballot, label, ticket
ヒョウ (4th, N1)
variant of radical 146
show, indicate, point out
ジ しめ.す (5th, N3)
two, two radical (no. 7)
ニ ふた ふだ (1st, N5)
little, small
ショウ こ- ちい.さい (1st, N5)
feathered stick, barb radical (no. 6)
ケツ かぎ (Kentei 1)
eight, eight radical (no. 12)
ハチ や はっ (1st, N5)