How to Say "hovering" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “hovering” is “flotando” — use 'flotando' when something is passively staying in the air or on the surface of a liquid, often carried by currents..
flotando
/floh-TAHN-doh//floˈtando/
Examples
El globo estuvo flotando en el cielo por horas.
The balloon was hovering in the sky for hours.
El tronco estuvo flotando por el río durante días.
The log was floating down the river for days.
Están flotando en el aire como si no tuvieran peso.
They are floating in the air as if they had no weight.
Vi a la niña flotando boca arriba en la piscina.
I saw the girl floating face up in the pool.
Continuous Actions
The '-ando' ending (the gerund) is the Spanish equivalent of the English '-ing' form. You use it with the verb 'estar' to talk about what is happening right now: 'Estoy flotando' (I am floating).
Adverbial Use
You can use 'flotando' right after a verb of motion or perception to describe how the action is being done: 'Vino flotando' (It came floating).
Mixing up the 'ing' forms
Mistake: “Using 'estar flotado' instead of 'estar flotando'.”
Correction: The '-ado' form ('flotado') is for completed actions (like 'has floated'). Use the '-ando' form ('flotando') for actions in progress.
planeando
plah-neh-AHN-doh/pla.neˈan.do/
Examples
El dron estaba planeando sobre la casa.
The drone was hovering over the house.
El águila estaba planeando sobre las montañas.
The eagle was gliding/soaring over the mountains.
Vimos un avión planeando antes de aterrizar.
We saw a plane gliding before landing.
Context is Key
When you see 'planeando' used with birds, wind, or aircraft, it refers to movement, not organization. The Spanish word covers both 'planning' and 'gliding'.
Floating vs. Controlled Hovering
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