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漂泊 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
漂泊piāobó漂泊 (piāobó) means to drift or wander without a fixed destination, often conveying a sense of aimlessness or being unsettled. This term is commonly used in literary contexts to express feelings of loneliness or longing for home, typically associated with transient lifestyles or experiences.HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
piāobó(piao1bo2) T1
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May 27, 2026
漂泊piāobó(piao1bo2)

漂泊 (piāobó) means to drift or wander without a fixed destination, often conveying a sense of aimlessness or being unsettled. This term is commonly used in literary contexts to express feelings of loneliness or longing for home, typically associated with transient lifestyles or experiences.

Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

漂泊 is often associated with the concept of the 'floating population' in modern China, referring to people who move from rural areas to cities in search of better opportunities, reflecting the challenges of urbanization and personal identity.

Memory Tip

Imagine a boat (漂) floating (泊) on the open sea without a captain, drifting wherever the waves take it. This image of a lost boat reflects the meaning of wandering and captures both the sound and structure of 漂泊.

About 漂泊

漂泊Simplified
16Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 漂泊

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Podcast: 漂泊

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AI Study Notes for 漂泊

Quick Contrast

漂流 (piāoliú) - use 漂泊 when emphasizing aimlessness and emotional unsettledness, while 漂流 focuses more on the physical act of drifting.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a boat (漂) floating (泊) on the open sea without a captain, drifting wherever the waves take it. This image of a lost boat reflects the meaning of wandering and captures both the sound and structure of 漂泊.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 漂泊 with similar words like 旅行 (lǚxíng), which means 'to travel' with a purpose. 漂泊 is more informal and emotional, often used in poetry or personal narratives rather than formal writing. Remember to maintain the correct tone when using this word, as it conveys a deeper feeling.

HSK Study Tips

At HSK Level 7, students should focus on understanding the emotional connotation and usage of 漂泊 in various contexts, especially in literature. Connecting it to other HSK 7 vocabulary related to emotions and journeys can enhance comprehension.

Cultural Note

漂泊 is often associated with the concept of the 'floating population' in modern China, referring to people who move from rural areas to cities in search of better opportunities, reflecting the challenges of urbanization and personal identity.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 漂泊 with similar terms like 旅行 (lǚxíng) and mistakenly use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我在城市漂泊' (I am traveling in the city) may sound awkward; a more fitting phrase could be '我在城市漂泊的感觉' (I feel like I'm drifting in the city).

AI-enhanced 2026-05-27

Pronunciation of 漂泊

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Cultural Notes for 漂泊

🏮Cultural insight

漂泊 is often associated with the concept of the 'floating population' in modern China, referring to people who move from rural areas to cities in search of better opportunities, reflecting the challenges of urbanization and personal identity.

Frequently Asked Questions about 漂泊

漂泊 refers to wandering without a fixed destination, often with emotional undertones, while 漂流 means to drift or float, usually in a physical sense, like a river or sea.