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galleggiare

to float

verb gahl-lej-JAH-reh Rare

Usage Note

Galleggiare uses avere as its auxiliary in compound tenses: ha galleggiato (it floated). The double 'g' produces a distinct /dʒ/ sound before -ia-. Figuratively it is used for people or organisations that manage to survive difficulties without fully thriving: l'azienda galleggia ('the company is just keeping afloat').

Examples

"Il sughero galleggia sull'acqua."

Natural Translation

Cork floats on water.

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