潮流(ちょうりゅう)

ちょうりゅう
noun
tidal current; trend, tide (of events)
geography
1. tidal current, ocean current
The flow of seawater caused by tides. A geographic and nautical term.
潮流(ちょうりゅう)が速(はや)いので泳(およ)がないでください。
The tidal current is strong, so please don't swim.
この海峡(かいきょう)は潮流(ちょうりゅう)が複雑(ふくざつ)で、航行(こうこう)には注意(ちゅうい)が必要(ひつよう)だ。
The tidal currents in this strait are complex, and caution is needed for navigation.
漁師(りょうし)たちは潮流(ちょうりゅう)を読(よ)んで魚(さかな)の集(あつ)まる場所(ばしょ)を見極(みきわ)める。
Fishermen read the tidal currents to identify where fish gather.
2. trend, tide (of the times), current (of thought)
A large-scale movement or direction of events, society, or thought. Used figuratively to describe broad trends.
時代(じだい)の潮流(ちょうりゅう)に逆(さか)らうことはできない。
You cannot go against the tide of the times.
グローバル化(か)は世界的(せかいてき)な潮流(ちょうりゅう)だ。
Globalization is a worldwide trend.
環境(かんきょう)保護(ほご)を重視(じゅうし)する潮流(ちょうりゅう)が国際(こくさい)社会(しゃかい)に広(ひろ)がっている。
A trend emphasizing environmental protection is spreading across the international community.

Usage

The figurative sense (trend/tide) is common in news, essays, and formal discussion. It implies a large-scale, powerful movement that is difficult to resist, similar to the English metaphor of "the tide of history."

Similar words

  • 潮流(ちょうりゅう): emphasizes the directional flow and power of a trend (like a current)
  • 傾向(けいこう): a more neutral term for tendency or trend
  • 流行(りゅうこう): trend in the sense of fashion or fad, more temporary

Common collocations

Related Words

Related: 潮(しお) (tide)
Compare: 傾向(けいこう) (a more neutral term for tendency…)
Compare: 流行(りゅうこう) (trend in the sense of fashion or fad…)
Compare: 水流(すいりゅう) (water current)
Compare: うねり (swell)
general
Added 2026.2.24 20:41 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31
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