Hõljuma

Hõljuma is an Estonian verb meaning to float or hover, typically describing something light that remains suspended in air or on a surface of water. The sense covers both literal movement—such as objects carried by wind or the fog hovering above water—as well as figurative usage, where thoughts, moods, or possibilities seem to be suspended or present without settling.

In literal usage, hõljuma is used for things that drift or hang in the air or on a surface. Examples include "udu hõljub järve kohal" (fog hovers above the lake) and "lehed hõljuvad tuules" (leaves drift in the wind). It can also describe a gradual, gentle motion of objects like balloons or dust.

Figuratively, the verb appears in phrases about ideas, moods, or possibilities that linger without settling. For instance, "mõtted hõljuvad peast" or "mõtted hõljuvad õhus," meaning thoughts drift around or hover in one’s mind.

Grammatically, hõljuma is an intransitive Estonian verb. Common conjugated forms include ma hõljun, sa hõljud, ta hõljub, me hõljume, te hõljute, nad hõljuvad. The past tense forms are hõljusin, hõljusid, hõljus, and the past participle is hõljunud. An adjective form is hõljuv, meaning "hovering" or "drifting."

The word is native Estonian and widely used in everyday speech, poetry, and weather descriptions to convey light, suspended motion or a sense of things present but not fixed.