Meaning and Usage
The verb 流れる (ながれる) primarily means "to flow" and is used for liquids like water or other substances moving continuously. It also describes the passage of time or events, implying something moving forward or passing by. Additionally, 流れる can refer to broadcasts or streams of information, such as news or music playing.
Common Collocations and Patterns
- 川が流れる (かわがながれる): The river flows — literal movement of water.
- 時間が流れる (じかんがながれる): Time flows — expressing the passage of time.
- 音楽が流れる (おんがくがながれる): Music is playing — used for sounds or broadcasts.
Usage Notes
When using 流れる for liquids, it often implies a natural, continuous movement. For time, it conveys a sense of time passing, often with an emotional nuance about how fast or slow it feels. When referring to broadcasts or sounds, it means they are being transmitted or played.
Be careful not to confuse 流れる with 流す (ながす), which is the transitive form meaning "to let flow" or "to pour out." 流れる is intransitive, focusing on the subject moving or flowing by itself.