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.
鮭は川を遡る。
Salmon go upstream.
彼らは舟で川を遡った。
They went upstream by boat.
Literally 'head toward the upper stream'. More descriptive and slightly formal.
探検隊は上流へ向かった。
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.
魚が川を上ってきた。
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.
彼はいつも流れに逆らう。
He always goes against the flow.
Specifically 'go against the current of the times'. Used for trends or societal movements.
その政策は時流に逆らっている。
That policy is going against the tide.
Means 'go backward' or 'reverse course'. Can imply going against progress or returning to an earlier state. Often used in formal or critical contexts.
その決定は時代に逆行している。
That decision is going against the times.
Investigating the origin or history of something, like a word or event.
Also used for going back in time or tracing origins. The same verb as physical upstream movement.
この言葉の語源はラテン語に遡る。
The origin of this word goes back to Latin.
問題の原因は数年前に遡る。
The cause of the problem dates back several years.
Literally 'trace the origin'. Used when actively investigating roots.
その伝統の起源を辿ると、江戸時代に行き着く。
Tracing the origin of that tradition leads back to the Edo period.