Japanese word

海流

Pronunciation

Romajikairyū

Meaning

  • nounocean current

Example

暖かい海流が北へ流れます。atata ka i kai ryū ga kita e naga re ma su

A warm ocean current flows north.

Illustration for 海流 (ocean current)

More examples

船は海流に乗って進みます。fune wa kai ryū ni no tte susu mi ma su

The ship moves along with the ocean current.

Core concept

It is a steady stream of seawater moving through the ocean in a particular direction.

Common phrases

  • 暖かい海流atata ka i kai ryū

    warm ocean current

  • 海流の方向kai ryū no hō kō

    direction of the ocean current

  • 海流に乗るkai ryū ni no ru

    ride an ocean current

Similar words

暖流danryū: A current of seawater that carries relatively warm water through the ocean.
潮流chōryū: A movement of seawater caused mainly by the rise and fall of the tide.
寒流kanryū: A current of seawater that carries relatively cold water through the ocean.

Definition in Japanese

海水が広い範囲を一定の方向へ流れ続けるもの。kai sui ga hiro i han i o it tei no hō kō e naga re tsuzu ke ru mo no

Word origin

海流 (kairyū) is a Sino-Japanese compound made from 海 (kai, "sea") and 流 (ryū, "flow").

Usage tips

  • The Gulf Stream is a well-known example of an ocean current and helps make parts of western Europe milder than their latitude suggests.

Word lists with this word