How to say "stream" in Japanese

• 流れながれJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers the flow or current of a liquid or gas, and by extension a stream in that abstract or figurative sense. Use it for the movement itself rather than for a physical watercourse.
  流ながれは池いけに注そそいでいる。↗

  The stream falls into the pond.
• 流れるながれるJLPT N3approx.Common
  ichidan verb, intransitive verbThe verb for streaming or flowing: water, ink, and even time can 流れる. Choose this when 'stream' is used as a verb rather than naming a thing.
  セーヌ川かわはパリを流ながれている。↗

  The Seine flows through Paris.
• 川かわJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounPrimarily means river, so use it for 'stream' only when the watercourse is sizable or the distinction does not matter. For a small stream, 小川 is the more precise choice.
  この川かわはあの川かわの３倍ばい長ながい。↗

  This river is three times longer than that one.
• 小川おがわCommon
  nounThe natural word for a small natural watercourse: a stream, brook, or creek. When 'stream' refers to a small river rather than flowing motion, this is usually the word you want.
  小川おがわがさらさらと流ながれる音おとが聞きこえる。↗

  We can hear a brook murmuring.
• 流水りゅうすいCommon
  nounMeans flowing water itself, often in a technical or descriptive sense. It is seldom the word you want for the everyday noun 'stream'; think of it as 'running water' instead.

For movement of liquid, air, or time use 「流れ」/「流れる」; for a small watercourse use 小川 or 川, with 川 usually meaning river; 流水 means flowing water itself and is rarely the word for 'stream'.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 流れながれflow (of a fluid or gas)
• 流れるながれるto stream
• 川かわriver
• 小川おがわstream
• ストリームstream (of liquid, air, etc.)
• 湧き出るわきでるto gush forth (e.g. water from a spring)
• 遣り水やりみずstream (in a Japanese garden)
• 河流かりゅうstream
• 河水かすいriver water
• なびかせるto fly (a flag)
• 連発れんぱつvolley (of questions, abuse, etc.)
• 流水りゅうすいflowing water
• いくto stream
• 枠わくstream
• 流りゅうflow