Spanish Conversation · Level 82
60 words
Spanish word
flotar
Pronunciation
IPA/floˈtaɾ/
Meaning
- verbfloat
Example
El barco puede flotar en el agua.
The ship can float on the water.
More examples
El globo comenzó a flotar en el aire.
The balloon began to float in the air.
Core concept
A small boat resting on the surface of the water.
Common phrases
flotar en el agua
float on the water
flotar en la superficie
float on the surface
dejar flotar
let float
Similar words
nadar: Propels the body through water by stroking or kicking with the limbs.
hundirse: Descends into the water until passing beneath the surface and submerging.
mantenerse: Remains steady in one condition or place over an extended period.
Definition in Spanish
Moverse o permanecer sobre un líquido sin hundirse.
Word origin
From Latin flotare 'to float', the source of French flotter, keeping the sense of moving or remaining on a liquid surface.
Usage tips
- Spanish uses flotar mainly as an intransitive verb, so to cause something to float speakers say hacer flotar or poner a flote rather than use flotar transitively.