流暢・流ちょう|りゅうちょうryuuchou[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. na-adjective, nounfluent (in a language); flowing
   デビッドは流暢りゅうちょうにフランス語ふらんすごを話はなすことができる。↗

   David can speak French fluently.

• Synonym流麗りゅうれいWrittenWritten/formal word for the flowing beauty of poetry, prose or music; stresses elegance, while 「流暢」 usually describes fluent speech.
• SynonymスムーズNeutralLoanword for things going smoothly, mostly processes and movements; it can also describe fluent speech.
• Related円滑えんかつNeutralFor things going smoothly and relations running harmoniously, as in 「円滑に進む」; not used for speaking a language fluently.
• Related滑らかなめらかNeutralCovers smooth surfaces as well as smooth actions and speech; much broader in use than 「流暢」, which is mainly about language.
• Related雄弁ゆうべんNeutralForceful, persuasive speaking; the emphasis is on conviction and impact, not on fluency in a foreign language.
• Related能弁のうべんWrittenWritten/formal word for being a skilled, persuasive talker; it does not specifically mean fluency in a foreign language.
• AntonymどもりNeutralStammering or stuttering, the opposite of fluent speech; nowadays 「吃音」 is the more common term.
• AntonymたどたどしいNeutralHalting, stumbling speech or movement, as in 「たどたどしい日本語」; the opposite of speaking fluently.

Use 「流暢」 for fluent foreign-language speech (also 「ぺらぺら」). For smooth progress use 「スムーズ」 or 「円滑」, for eloquence 「雄弁」, for elegant writing or music 「流麗」; 「滑らか」 is broader. Opposites: 「吃り」, 「辿々しい」.

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

1. すらすらと流ながれるように伸のびやかなこと。
2. 言葉ことばを明瞭めいりょうにすらすらと話はなし、淀よどみがないこと。主おもに外国語がいこくごについて言ゆう。