支流|しりゅうshiryuu[0]heiban (flat)

1. nountributary; branch
   アマゾン川かわには多おおくの支流しりゅうがある。↗

   The Amazon is fed by a large number of tributaries.

• Synonym支川しせんWrittenWritten/formal prose term for a smaller river flowing into a larger one; used in river legislation. Same meaning as 「支流」 but much rarer.
• Antonym本流ほんりゅうNeutralAntonym: the main stream of a river; figuratively, the orthodox line of a school or tradition. The direct opposite of 「支流」.

For a small river flowing into a main stream, or a branch of a school, use 「支流」, as in 「長江の支流」. River legislation uses 「支川」; the antonym is 「本流」.

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

1. 本流ほんりゅうに流れ込ながれこむ川かわ。
2. 本流ほんりゅうから分わかれる川かわ。
3. もとから分わかれた系統けいとう。
4. 本家ほんけから分わかれた家系かけい。