渦|うずuzu[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounwhirlpool; swirl; eddy; vortex; maelstrom

• Synonym渦巻きうずまきNeutralCovers both whirlpools and spiral shapes or patterns; 「渦」 is mainly the whirlpool itself made by water or air currents, and figuratively being caught up in turmoil.
• RelatedスパイラルNeutralA loanword for the spiral shape; figuratively a vicious cycle of prices, wages and the like. It never means a whirlpool in water, so it differs from 「渦」 in usage.
• Related渦状かじょうWrittenA written/formal prose word for a spiral shape like a whirlpool, mostly as 「渦状の」 before a noun, e.g. galaxies; it does not stand alone for the whirlpool itself.

Use 「渦」 for whirlpools formed by water or air currents and figuratively for turmoil one is drawn into. 「渦巻き」 also covers spiral patterns; 「スパイラル」 is for spiral shapes and vicious cycles; 「渦状」 is formal, as in 「渦状の」.

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

1. 水みずなどの流体りゅうたいが作つくる回転かいてんした流ながれ。