1.
mainstream, predominant trend
The dominant or most widely accepted current of thought, practice, or culture. Can also refer literally to the main current of a river.
それが今の主流だ。
That's the mainstream now.
オンライン授業が主流になりつつある。
Online classes are becoming the mainstream.
かつては手書きが主流だったが、今はほとんどパソコンで作成する。
Handwriting used to be the norm, but now almost everything is done on a computer.
主流 literally means "main stream" (of a river) but is overwhelmingly used figuratively to mean the dominant trend, prevailing practice, or mainstream.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 主流になる: to become mainstream
- 主流から外れる: to deviate from the mainstream
- 主流派: mainstream faction
- 主流を占める: to dominate the mainstream
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 主流: mainstream (dominant trend)
- メインストリーム: mainstream (loanword, less common)
- 傍流: offshoot, minor stream (opposite)
- 本流: main current (more literal, river/lineage)
USAGE:
Often used to describe shifting trends: かつてはAが主流だったが、今はBが主流だ (A used to be mainstream, but now B is).