Meaning and Usage
"合流" (ごうりゅう) primarily means "to merge" or "to join together," often used for rivers, roads, or groups of people. It describes the action or state where two or more separate entities come together to form one.
Common Contexts
- Natural phenomena: rivers or streams merging.
- Traffic: lanes or roads merging, especially on highways.
- Social or work situations: people joining a group or team.
Collocations and Patterns
- 合流地点 (ごうりゅうちてん): merge point, often used in traffic contexts.
- 支流が合流する (しりゅうがごうりゅうする): tributaries merge.
- チームに合流する: to join a team.
Register and Nuance
"合流" is a neutral term used in both formal and informal contexts. It is often seen in news reports, traffic announcements, and workplace conversations.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "合流" with "参加" (さんか, to participate). While "参加" focuses on taking part in an event or activity, "合流" emphasizes physically or conceptually joining or merging with a group or flow. Use "合流" when highlighting the joining or merging aspect.