Common Meanings
1
piāo漂
To float on a liquid surface or to drift with the wind or current.
树叶在水面上轻轻漂浮。
Leaves gently float on the surface of the water.
2
piǎo漂
To use water and chemicals to remove color or whiten items; to bleach or dye.
她想把旧衣服漂白，让它们看起来更干净。
She wants to bleach the old clothes to make them look cleaner.
To rinse or wash (e.g., clothes, vegetables) to remove dirt or impurities.
妈妈正在漂洗蔬菜。
Mom is rinsing the vegetables.
3
piào漂
Used in the reduplicated form "漂漂亮亮" (piào piào liàng liàng) to describe something done beautifully, excellently, or perfectly.
她把这份报告做得漂漂亮亮的，获得了领导的赞赏。
She completed this report beautifully, earning the leader's appreciation.
In some dialects, referring to plans, hopes, or accounts falling through or coming to nothing; to be dashed or fizzle out.
本来谈好的合作，突然对方变卦，这下可真要漂了
The cooperation we had originally agreed upon, the other party suddenly changed their mind; now it really looks like it's going to fall through.