1.
to let flow, to pour
To cause liquid to move.
涙を流す。
To shed tears.
音楽を流す。
To play music.
運動して汗を流す。
To exercise and work up a sweat.
テレビで最新のニュースを流す。
To broadcast the latest news on TV.
映画の悲しい場面を見て、涙を流した。
I shed tears watching the sad scene in the movie.
2.
to wash away, to flush
To remove by flowing water.
水を流す。
To run water.
汚れを流す。
To wash away the dirt.
トイレの水を流す。
To flush the toilet.
シャワーで石鹸を流す。
To rinse off the soap with the shower.
料理の後、お皿の汚れを水で流してから洗った。
After cooking, I rinsed the dirt off the plates with water before washing them.
流す means to cause something to flow, to wash away, or to broadcast.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Pair: 流れる (intransitive, to flow)
MULTIPLE MEANINGS:
1. Let flow: 涙を流す (shed tears)
2. Wash away: 水で流す (rinse with water)
3. Broadcast: 音楽を流す (play music)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 涙を流す: to shed tears
- 汗を流す: to sweat (also figurative: work hard)
- 血を流す: to shed blood
- トイレを流す: to flush the toilet
- ニュースを流す: to broadcast news
- 噂を流す: to spread rumors