1.
main stream; main current of a river
The primary channel of a river, as distinguished from tributaries or branch streams.
本流は流れが速い。
The main stream has a fast current.
支流が本流に合流する地点に町ができた。
A town formed at the point where the tributary joins the main stream.
釣りは本流よりも支流の方が穴場だ。
For fishing, the tributaries are better hidden spots than the main stream.
2.
mainstream; orthodox line; dominant tradition
The dominant or orthodox position within a field, organization, or school of thought. Often used to distinguish the central tradition from offshoot or minority positions.
経済学の本流から外れた理論だ。
It is a theory outside the mainstream of economics.
党の本流派閥が主導権を握っている。
The party's mainstream faction holds the initiative.
彼の作風は文学の本流とは異なるが、根強いファンがいる。
His style differs from the literary mainstream, but he has a devoted following.
Composed of 本 (main; true) and 流 (current; flow). The geographical sense refers to the main channel of a river system, while the figurative sense describes the dominant tradition or orthodoxy in any field. In politics, 本流 often refers to the establishment or dominant faction within a party.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 本流から外れる: to deviate from the mainstream
- 本流派: mainstream faction
- 本流に合流する: to join the main stream
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 主流: mainstream — very similar in figurative use; 主流 is more common in everyday speech, while 本流 emphasizes the original or orthodox line
- 支流: tributary; branch — the opposite in both literal and figurative senses
- 傍流: side stream; minority faction — specifically a non-mainstream position