Translation guide
Expresses movement against the current of a river or stream, or metaphorically against the prevailing trend. The most common Japanese equivalent is 遡る (sakanoboru), but other expressions exist for specific contexts.
Describing physical movement upstream in a river or stream.
The standard verb for going upstream, tracing a river to its source, or going back in time.
Salmon go upstream.
They went upstream by boat.
Literally 'head toward the upper stream'. More descriptive and slightly formal.
The expedition headed upstream.
A simpler alternative using 上る (noboru), meaning 'to go up'. Can be used for going upstream, but 遡る is more precise.
The fish came upstream.
Describing acting contrary to the prevailing opinion, fashion, or social current.
Literally 'go against the flow'. A common metaphor for opposing the mainstream.
He always goes against the flow.
Specifically 'go against the current of the times'. Used for trends or societal movements.
Means 'go backward' or 'reverse course'. Can imply going against progress or returning to an earlier state. Often used in formal or critical contexts.
Investigating the origin or history of something, like a word or event.
That policy is going against the tide.
That decision is going against the times.
The cause of the problem dates back several years.
Tracing the origin of that tradition leads back to the Edo period.