支流(しりゅう)

しりゅう
noun
tributary; branch stream
geography
1. tributary; branch stream; affluent
A river or stream that flows into a larger river rather than directly into the sea. Also used figuratively for offshoots or secondary branches of movements or schools of thought.
この川(かわ)は利根川(とねがわ)の支流(しりゅう)だ。
This river is a tributary of the Tone River.
支流(しりゅう)が合流(ごうりゅう)して大(おお)きな川(かわ)になる。
The tributaries merge and become a large river.
多摩川(たまがわ)にはいくつもの支流(しりゅう)があり、それぞれ独自(どくじ)の生態系(せいたいけい)を持(も)っている。
The Tama River has numerous tributaries, each with its own unique ecosystem.

Combines 支(し) (branch/support) and 流(りゅう) (flow/stream). The 支(し) character indicates something secondary or branching off from the main, as in 支店(してん) (branch office) or 支線(しせん) (branch line).

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 本流(ほんりゅう): main stream, main current — the primary river into which tributaries flow; also used figuratively for the mainstream of a movement
  • 源流(げんりゅう): headwaters, source — the origin point of a river; figuratively, the origin of something
  • 合流(ごうりゅう): confluence, merging — the point where rivers join together

Related Words

Compare: 本流(ほんりゅう) (main stream, main current)
Compare: 源流(げんりゅう) (headwaters, source)
Compare: 合流(ごうりゅう) (confluence, merging)
Compare: 分流(ぶんりゅう) (branching stream)
Compare: 細流(さいりゅう) (small stream)
general
Added 2026.3.26 17:37 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
19500/19624_shiryuu