Translation guide
Describes a sudden, powerful forward movement, often of crowds, water, or emotions. Japanese uses different words depending on what is surging and the nuance.
Customers surged forward as soon as the store opened.
To surge or rush forward like a wave. Often used for crowds, but also for natural phenomena like waves or emotions.
The audience surged toward the stage.
To surge or pour in like an avalanche. Emphasizes a sudden, unstoppable influx.
Fans surged into the venue.
To describe a sudden rush of water, like a wave or flood.
To describe a sudden strong feeling, like anger, excitement, or hope.
To describe a sudden sharp increase in a measurable quantity.
To describe a sudden rush of power, electricity, or force.
Both mean 'to surge,' but 殺到する focuses on the destination (rushing to a place), while 押し寄せる emphasizes the movement itself, like a wave. 殺到する is often used for crowds heading to a specific point; 押し寄せる can be used for crowds, water, or abstract things like emotions.
English 'surging' covers many concepts. Do not use a single Japanese word for all cases. Choose based on what is surging: people, water, emotions, numbers, or power.
The tsunami caused the river water to surge backward.
Hope surged within me.
The ground surged upward from the earthquake.