Translation guide
Describes the action of light, liquid, or people flowing steadily into a space. The best Japanese expression depends on what is streaming in and the nuance you want.
To describe sunlight, moonlight, or other light entering a room or area in a steady, often beautiful way.
Commonly used for light (especially sunlight) shining or streaming into a space. Often implies a beam or ray.
朝日が窓から差し込んでいる。
The morning sun is streaming in through the window.
Used when light pours down abundantly, like sunlight flooding a room. Has a more intense, generous feel.
部屋中に陽の光が降り注いでいた。
Sunlight was streaming into the whole room.
Similar to 差し込む but can feel slightly more literary or intense. Often used in written descriptions.
月明かりが静かに射し込んでいた。
Moonlight was quietly streaming in.
To describe water, rain, or other liquids flowing steadily into a place.
General term for liquid flowing into a space. Can be used for water, rain, or even metaphorical flows.
雨が窓から流れ込んできた。
Rain streamed in through the window.
Emphasizes liquid entering where it shouldn't, like leaks. Often used for unwanted water.
To describe a continuous flow of people entering a place, like a venue or room.
Casual, natural way to say people are streaming in one after another. どんどん adds the sense of continuous, energetic flow.
お客さんがどんどん入ってくる。
Customers are streaming in.
Slightly more formal, often used in news or reports. Emphasizes a steady succession.
会場に人々が続々と入っていった。
People streamed into the venue one after another.
To describe fresh air, wind, or sound flowing into a space.
Simple and natural for air or sound. Often combined with adverbs like さっと (quickly) or そっと (softly).
窓を開けると、涼しい風が入ってきた。
When I opened the window, a cool breeze streamed in.
Also works for air or sound, emphasizing a steady flow.
新鮮な空気が部屋に流れ込んだ。
Fresh air streamed into the room.
The English phrase 'stream in' does not have a single direct Japanese equivalent. Translating word-for-word (e.g., 流れに入る) will sound unnatural. Choose the expression based on what is streaming in.
床下に水が入り込んでいる。
Water is streaming in under the floor.
Literally 'to avalanche in'. Used when a large crowd rushes in all at once, like when doors open.
開店と同時に客が雪崩れ込んだ。
Customers streamed in as soon as the store opened.