流行|りゅうこうryuukou[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. suru verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectivefashion; trend; vogue; craze; fad; popularity
    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.
  2. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbprevalence (of a disease); epidemic
Conjugation
Dictionary form流行する(りゅうこうする)
Polite (masu)流行します(りゅうこうします)
Negative (nai)流行しない(りゅうこうしない)
polite (masen)流行しません(りゅうこうしません)
classical zu / nu流行せず・流行せぬ(りゅうこうせず・りゅうこうせぬ)
Past (ta)流行した(りゅうこうした)
polite (mashita)流行しました(りゅうこうしました)
Past negative (nakatta)流行しなかった(りゅうこうしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)流行しませんでした(りゅうこうしませんでした)
Te form流行して(りゅうこうして)
Potential流行できる(りゅうこうできる)
Passive流行される(りゅうこうされる)
Causative流行させる(りゅうこうさせる)
Causative passive流行させられる(りゅうこうさせられる)
Conditional (ba)流行すれば(りゅうこうすれば)
tara流行したら(りゅうこうしたら)
Volitional流行しよう(りゅうこうしよう)
polite (mashou)流行しましょう(りゅうこうしましょう)
Imperative流行しろ(りゅうこうしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymトレンドNeutralLoanword for a trend or current direction, as in 「今年のトレンド」; leans toward fashion and business. Unlike 「流行」, it never covers a spreading disease.
  • Synonym時好じこうWrittenWritten/formal prose for the fads and tastes of the moment; rare in modern Japanese — 「流行」 is the usual word.
  • SynonymボーグWrittenLoanword for vogue — the prevailing style in clothes, hairstyles and the like; uncommon in everyday use.
  • Related人気にんきNeutralHow popular someone or something is, as in 「人気のある店」. 「流行」 stresses something spreading through society for a time rather than simply being liked.
  • Related評判ひょうばんNeutralPublic reputation or the talk about someone, as in 「評判がいい」; it can be good or bad, and unlike 「流行」 it does not imply anything spreading.
  • Related風潮ふうちょうWrittenWritten/formal prose for a social climate or prevailing tendency, as in 「拝金主義の風潮」; often carries a negative shade.
  • Related潮流ちょうりゅうWrittenA broad current of the times, as in 「時代の潮流」; grander in scale and more lasting than the momentary 「流行」.
  • Related好評こうひょうNeutralA favorable reputation or reception, as in 「好評を博す」; it is about being well reviewed, not about spreading.
  • Related趨勢すうせいWrittenWritten/formal prose for the overall course things are taking, as in 「時代の趨勢」; not a passing fashion.
  • Related大衆性たいしゅうせいWrittenThe quality of appealing to the general public, as in 「大衆性のある作品」; a property of a work, not a craze itself.
  • RelatedポピュラリティーNeutralLoanword for popularity or name recognition; in everyday speech 「人気」 is the natural choice.
  • Related好尚こうしょうWrittenWritten/formal prose for tastes and fashions; rare today — say 「流行」 or 「好み」 instead.
  • Related人受けひとうけNeutralHow well one goes over with other people, as in 「人受けがいい」; centers on personal appeal and others' impressions, not a social craze.
  • Related趨向すうこうWrittenWritten/formal prose for the direction things are moving in; rare in modern Japanese.
  • Antonym廃れるすたれるNeutralAntonym: to fall out of use or fashion and decline, as in 「流行が廃れる」 — the opposite of 「流行」.

Use 「流行」 for something sweeping through society for a time, including the spread of a disease. For being well liked say 「人気」; for reputation and reviews, 「評判」 or 「好評」. For long-term currents of the times, 「潮流」 or 「トレンド」; for a social climate, 「風潮」. 「廃れる」 is the opposite: going out of fashion.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 物事ものごとが一時的いちじてきに社会しゃかいに広ひろまること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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