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:

この川の流域には多くの野生動物が生息しています。

Kono kawa no ryūiki ni wa ōku no yasei dōbutsu ga seisoku shite imasu

Many wild animals inhabit this river basin.

• この川の流域には - indicates the location where something is located, in this case, the watershed of this river
• 多くの - "muitos" em japonês significa "多く" (おおく, ooku).
• 野生動物 - Wild animals
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 生息しています - verb that means "to inhabit" or "to live in a certain place"

パイプを使って水を流しましょう。

Paipu wo tsukatte mizu wo nagashimashou

Let's use a pipe to drain the water.

Let's use a pipe to wash the water.

• パイプ - tube
• を - direct object particle
• 使って - using
• 水 - water
• を - direct object particle
• 流しましょう - let's drain / let the water run

川の流れは常に変化しています。

Kawa no nagare wa tsune ni henka shiteimasu

The river flow is constantly changing.

• 川の流れ - Flowing river
• は - Topic particle
• 常に - always
• 変化しています - mudando

悠々とした時間が流れる。

Yuuyuu to shita jikan ga nagareru

A smooth time flows.

• 悠々とした - It means "serene" or "calm".
• 時間 - It means "time".
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 流れる - It means "flow" or "pass".

気流が強くなっています。

Kiryū ga tsuyoku natte imasu

The winds are getting stronger.

The airflow is getting stronger.

• 気流 (Kiryū) - air flow
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 強く (tsuyoku) - tightly
• なっています (natteimasu) - is becoming

海流は大きな力を持っています。

Kairyuu wa ookina chikara wo motteimasu

The sea current has great power.

• 海流 - It means "ocean current" in Japanese.
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 大きな - Adjective that means "big" or "important" in Japanese.
• 力 - noun meaning "force" or "power" in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 持っています - verb that means "to have" or "to possess" in Japanese, conjugated in the present affirmative

私たちは川で合流しました。

Watashitachi wa kawa de gōryū shimashita

We meet at the river.

We join the river.

• 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
• 川で - "in the river"
• 合流しました - verb "found oneself", in the past

私の身分は中流階級です。

Watashi no mibun wa chuuryuu kaikyuu desu

My status is a middle class.

• 私の身分 - "My social position"
• は - Topic particle
• 中流階級 - "Middle class"
• です - Polite form of "to be"