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flotando

floh-TAHN-doh/floˈtando/

“flotando” means “floating” in Spanish (as in 'is floating').

floating

Also: drifting, hovering
Gerund (Verb Form)A2regular ar
A single bright yellow rubber duck floating effortlessly on the surface of calm, clear blue water.
past Participleflotado
gerundflotando
infinitiveflotar

📝 In Action

El tronco estuvo flotando por el río durante días.

A2

The log was floating down the river for days.

Están flotando en el aire como si no tuvieran peso.

A1

They are floating in the air as if they had no weight.

Vi a la niña flotando boca arriba en la piscina.

B1

I saw the girl floating face up in the pool.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • navegando (sailing/navigating (on water))
  • suspendido (suspended (in air))

Antonyms

  • hundiendo (sinking)
  • sumergiendo (submerging)

Common Collocations

  • estar flotando – to be floating (right now)
  • seguir flotando – to keep floating

Idioms & Expressions

  • flotar en el ambiente – for something (like a feeling or idea) to be in the air

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "flotando" in Spanish:

drifting→floating→hovering→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: flotando

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'flotando' to describe something happening right now?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
flotar(to float) — Verb
flotador(float/life preserver) — Noun
flotación(floating/buoyancy) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the verb *flotar*, which likely originated from the Germanic word *flotón* (meaning 'to flow' or 'to swim'), entering Spanish through Vulgar Latin.

First recorded: Medieval period

Cognates (Related words)

French: flotterEnglish: float

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Frequently Asked Questions

When do I use 'flotando' versus 'flotado'?

'Flotando' (the -ing form) is used for continuous actions, usually with 'estar' (e.g., 'está flotando' - it is floating). 'Flotado' (the -ed form) is used for completed actions, usually with 'haber' (e.g., 'ha flotado' - it has floated).