Translation guide
The English word "streak" has many meanings. This guide covers the most useful ones for learners: a line or mark, a period of repeated success or failure, a tendency or trait, and running naked. Other meanings like a flash of lightning or a layer of fat in meat are less common and not included.
A long, thin line, mark, or stripe of a different color or texture.
General word for a line, stripe, or streak. Can be used for lines on surfaces, in hair, or in patterns.
窓に光の筋が入っている。
A streak of light is coming through the window.
She has a white streak in her hair.
Means "line" in general. Can be used for a streak when it is clearly a drawn or visible line.
There's a black streak on the wall.
Means "stripe" or "streak" in a pattern, like on fabric or animal fur. More specific than 筋.
That cat has gray streaks.
A continuous series of wins, losses, or similar events.
winning streak · losing streak · hot streak
Means "consecutive wins" or "winning streak." Used in sports, games, and competitions.
The team is on a 10-game winning streak.
Means "consecutive losses" or "losing streak."
Means "to continue in good form" or "to be on a hot streak." Used for a period of good performance.
He's been on a hot streak lately.
Means "to continue in poor form" or "to be on a cold streak."
The team is on a losing streak.
Loanword from English, sometimes used in gaming or sports contexts, but less natural than native terms.
I'm on a streak in the game.
An element of a particular type in a person's character.
a streak of cruelty · a rebellious streak
Means "to have a side/aspect (of a trait)." Used to describe a streak in someone's personality.
He has a cruel streak.
She has a rebellious streak.
Means "to have a disposition/tendency." Often used with specific nouns like 反抗気 (rebellious spirit).
Means "tendency" or "inclination." Can be used to describe a streak in a more formal or analytical way.
The act of running naked in a public place as a prank or dare.
English uses "streak" metaphorically for personality traits, but Japanese does not use 筋 or 線 in this way. Use patterns like 一面がある or 傾向がある instead.
He has a mean streak.
連勝 is for winning streaks, 連敗 for losing streaks. They are specific to consecutive results and are commonly used in sports and games. For a general "hot streak" or "cold streak," use 好調が続く or 不調が続く.
彼らは5連敗を止めた。
They snapped a 5-game losing streak.
彼は反抗気がある。
He has a rebellious streak.
彼には暴力的な傾向がある。
He has a violent streak.
Loanword from English "streaking." Understood by some but not commonly used.
Streaking can cause trouble.