How to say "trend" in Japanese

• トレンドCommon
  nounThe most direct loanword for 'trend', especially in fashion, media, and business talk such as what is currently popular or trending. Natural in casual and commercial contexts.
  ここでの問題もんだいは、社会しゃかいのトレンドを概観がいかんできるような枠組わくぐみを創出そうしゅつすることである。↗

  The question here is one of creating the framework with which we can outline the social trend.
• 傾向けいこうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers 'trend' in the sense of a tendency or pattern, e.g. prices, data, or people's behavior showing a certain drift. Best when describing how something tends to change rather than what is fashionable.
  その傾向けいこうはアメリカ人あめりかじんに強つよいようですね。↗

  That tendency is strong among Americans.
• 流行りゅうこうJLPT N3approx.Common
  suru verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveUsed for 'trend' meaning fashion, vogue, or craze — something currently popular among people. Suits talk about clothing, slang, diets, and anything that comes into and goes out of style.
  あの種しゅの服ふくが今いま流行りゅうこうだ。↗

  That kind of dress is now in fashion.
• 動向どうこうJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounRefers to the movements, direction, or attitudes of groups, markets, politics, or organizations. Choose it when 'trend' means how a situation or group is moving or developing, not personal habits.
  彼かれは金融きんゆうアナリストで経済けいざい動向どうこうの分析ぶんせきには定評ていひょうがある。↗

  He's a financial analyst with a pretty good reputation for his analysis of economic trends.
• 趨勢すうせいCommon
  nounA more formal, written-style word for the overall tendency or drift of events, society, or history. For everyday speech about a 'trend' it is seldom the word you want; use it for large-scale direction of affairs.
  世論よろんの趨勢すうせいは体罰たいばつ反対はんたいの方向ほうこうである。↗

  The trend of public opinion is against corporal punishment.

For 'trend', choose 「トレンド」 for fashion and business buzzword contexts, 傾向 for statistical or general tendencies, 流行 for fads and fashion, 動向 for movements and developments of groups or markets, and 趨勢 for broad overall direction.

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

• トレンドtrend
• 傾向けいこうtendency
• 流行りゅうこうfashion
• 動向どうこうtrend
• 趨勢すうせいtendency
• 気運きうんtrend
• 勢運せいうんtrend
• 趨向すうこうtendency
• 方向性ほうこうせいdirection
• 帰趨きすうoutcome (of a course of events)
• 動きうごきtrend
• 基調きちょうtrend
• 機運きうんtrend
• 傾きかたむきtendency
• 風潮ふうちょうtendency
• 潮流ちょうりゅうtendency
• 調子ちょうしtrend
• 数すうdestiny