1.
middle class, middle-income
The social stratum between upper and lower class. Japan has historically had a strong middle-class identity.
中流家庭で育った。
I grew up in a middle-class household.
日本では多くの人が自分を中流だと思っている。
In Japan, many people consider themselves middle class.
中流意識が薄れ、格差が広がっている。
Middle-class consciousness is fading and inequality is widening.
2.
midstream, middle reaches of a river
The middle section of a river, between the upper and lower reaches.
川の中流で釣りをした。
I fished in the middle reaches of the river.
中流域は流れが穏やかだ。
The midstream area has a gentle current.
上流から中流にかけて、川幅が徐々に広がる。
From the upper to the middle reaches, the river gradually widens.
CULTURE:
The phrase 一億総中流 (100 million people, all middle class) described Japan's post-war sense of economic equality. This 中流意識 (middle-class consciousness) has weakened since the 1990s.
WORD FORMATION:
中 (middle) + 流 (stream, class)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 中流家庭: middle-class household
- 中流意識: middle-class consciousness
- 中流階級: middle class