1.
muddy stream; turbid torrent; raging muddy waters
A fast-flowing body of water that is murky with mud and debris, typically caused by heavy rain, flooding, or a natural disaster. Composed of 濁 (muddy/turbid) + 流 (flow/current).
大雨で川が濁流になった。
The heavy rain turned the river into a muddy torrent.
濁流が橋を押し流した。
The raging muddy waters swept away the bridge.
台風の影響で山から濁流が押し寄せ、住宅地が浸水した。
Due to the typhoon, muddy torrents surged down from the mountains and flooded the residential area.
USAGE:
濁流 is commonly used in news reports about floods, typhoons, and natural disasters. It conveys a sense of danger and destructive power.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 濁流に飲まれる (be swallowed by the torrent)
- 濁流が押し寄せる (muddy waters surge in)
- 濁流に流される (be swept away by the torrent)
SIMILAR WORDS:
激流 means "rapids" or "raging current" and emphasizes speed and force without necessarily being muddy. 濁流 specifically highlights the muddiness and turbidity. 鉄砲水 means "flash flood" and refers to a sudden surge of water.