Translation and Meaning of: 流 - ryuu

The Japanese word 「流」 (ryuu) is a kanji that carries meanings revolving around the concept of "flow," "current," or "style." This character is often used to describe phenomena related to continuous and fluent movement, such as the flow of water in a river. Additionally, it has metaphorical applications, such as in the description of styles or schools of thought, practices, and behaviors, denoting a specific way of doing something. The versatility of this kanji is reflected in the breadth of contexts in which it is employed.

In the etymology of 「流」, we find two main components: the radical "氵" (sanzui), which suggests a relation to water or liquid, and the phonetic part "㐬" that contributes to the sound of the reading. This radical is a clear indication that many meanings of the kanji are associated with water and its properties, such as fluidity and movement. The use of the radical also helps categorize the kanji into a thematic group, making its recognition and interpretation more intuitive within the Japanese language.

The variations and compounds involving 「流」 are numerous in the Japanese language. For example, 「流行」 (ryuukou), which means "fashion" or "trend," suggests something that is "flowing" widely in society. Other applications include 「流れ」 (nagare), which simply means "flow" or "current," and is used to describe both physical phenomena and ideas or feelings that move and change naturally. These examples highlight how the concept of flow can apply to different aspects of life, both tangible and abstract.

Cultural Contexts and Use

In Japanese culture, the concept of flow and harmony is highly valued, which is reflected in the language through words like 「流」. In traditional martial arts, for example, the word is used to describe different schools and styles, each with its unique techniques and philosophies, showing how practices can "flow" from generation to generation. Furthermore, in the context of philosophy and religion, the idea of flow suggests a state of mind that is adaptive and in harmony with the environment and circumstances.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 流れ (nagare) - Flow, current
• 水流 (suiryu) - Water current
• 流転 (ruten) - Flow cycle, continuous change
• 流動 (ryūdō) - Fluidity, movement
• 流行 (ryūkō) - Trend, fashion
• 流通 (ryūtsū) - Circulation, distribution
• 流派 (ryūha) - School (of thought or art)
• 流域 (ryūiki) - Watershed, drainage area
• 流線 (ryūsen) - Flow lines, streamline lines
• 流星 (ryūsei) - Meteorite, shooting star
• 流麗 (ryūrei) - Fluid elegance, soft beauty
• 流暢 (ryūchō) - Fluency, eloquence
• 流行語 (ryūkōgo) - Slang, popular expression
• 流行歌 (ryūkōka) - Popular music
• 流行曲 (ryūkōkyoku) - Popular song, musical hit
• 流行色 (ryūkōshiki) - Color of the season
• 流行性感冒 (ryūkōsengampu) - Influenza, flu
• 流行病 (ryūkōbyō) - Epidemic disease, epidemic
• 流行性感冒疫苗 (ryūkōsengampuyakubō) - Flu vaccine

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流

Romaji: ryuu
Kana: りゅう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: style of; method of; way of

Meaning in English: styleof;method of;manner of

Definition: The natural movement of the liquid.

Example Sentences - (流) ryuu

See below some example sentences:

流石に素晴らしいですね。

Sasuga ni subarashii desu ne

As expected

It is wonderful.

• 流石に (sasuga ni) - expression that means "as expected" or "indeed"
• 素晴らしい (subarashii) - adjective that means "wonderful" or "excellent"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or respectful form of speech
• ね (ne) - final particle that indicates a rhetorical question or a search for confirmation

深夜には静かな時間が流れる。

Shinya ni wa shizuka na jikan ga nagareru

Durante a madrugada

Um tempo tranquilo flui tarde da noite.

• 深夜には - à noite tardia
• 静かな - calm
• 時間が - time
• 流れる - flui

電流が流れています。

Denryuu ga nagarete imasu

Electric current is flowing.

The current is flowing.

• 電流 - Electric current
• が - subject particle
• 流れています - is flowing

流しを掃除してください。

Nagashi wo souji shite kudasai

Please clean the sink.

Please clean the sink.

• 流し (nagashi) - sink, washbasin
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 掃除 (souji) - cleaning
• して (shite) - gerund form of the verb "to do"
• ください (kudasai) - please do

流行は常に変化しています。

Ryūkō wa tsuneni henka shiteimasu

Fashion is always changing.

The trend is constantly changing.

• 流行 (ryuukou) - moda
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 常に (tsuneni) - always
• 変化 (henka) - change
• しています (shiteimasu) - It's running

国際交流は大切です。

Kokusai kōryū wa taisetsu desu

International exchange is important.

International exchange is important.

• 国際交流 - International exchange
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - polite way of being

交流が大切です。

Kōryū ga taisetsu desu

Communication is important.

The exchange is important.

• 交流 - means "interaction" or "communication" in Japanese.
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 大切 - means "important" or "valuable" in Japanese.
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and formal form.

上昇気流が強くなっています。

Joushou kiryuu ga tsuyoku natte imasu

The updrafts are getting stronger.

Updraft is getting stronger.

• 上昇気流 (joushou kiryuu) - upward current
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 強く (tsuyoku) - fortemente
• なっています (natteimasu) - is becoming

この川の流れはとても美しいです。

Kono kawa no nagare wa totemo utsukushii desu

The current of this river is very beautiful.

The flow of this river is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 川 - noun meaning "river"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• 流れ - noun that means "flow" or "current"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - linking verb that indicates the polite and formal form of the present

インターナショナルな交流が大切です。

Intānashonaru na kōryū ga taisetsu desu

International exchange is important.

• インターナショナル - International
• な - Particle indicating adjective
• 交流 - Exchange
• が - particle that indicates subject
• 大切 - Important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present