浮く

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 浮く(うく) means to float, for example on water, or to feel elated.
• Basic usage: It describes a leaf on the water or spirits lifted by good news.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Changes in verb forms
  • The te-form of 浮く is 浮いて, and its past form is 浮いた.
• What floats or feels uplifted
  • In 葉が浮く and 心が浮く, が marks what floats or becomes elated.