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.
To describe a large group of people suddenly rushing forward together.
Literally 'to rush in a killing wave.' Used when crowds surge toward a place, like a store opening or a concert entrance.
開店と同時に客が殺到した。
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.
観客がステージに押し寄せた。
The audience surged toward the stage.
To surge or pour in like an avalanche. Emphasizes a sudden, unstoppable influx.
ファンが会場になだれ込んだ。
Fans surged into the venue.
To describe a sudden rush of water, like a wave or flood.
Used for waves or water surging forward. Same word as for crowds.
高波が海岸に押し寄せた。
High waves surged onto the shore.
To surge backward or flow in reverse, like a tidal surge up a river.
津波で川の水が逆流した。
The tsunami caused the river water to surge backward.
To describe a sudden strong feeling, like anger, excitement, or hope.
For emotions welling up or surging from within. Often used with sadness, anger, or joy.
怒りが込み上げてきた。
Anger surged up inside me.
For emotions or energy surging up like a spring. Often used with excitement or cheers.
To describe a sudden sharp increase in a measurable quantity.
Specifically for prices or market values surging upward.
株価が急騰した。
Stock prices surged.
For numbers or amounts surging, like cases of a disease or sales figures.
感染者数が急増した。
The number of infections surged.
To describe a sudden rush of power, electricity, or force.
For electricity, water, or anything flowing in powerfully.
電流が一気に流れ込んだ。
Electricity surged in all at once.
For a sudden upward surge of force, like an earthquake or explosion.
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.
希望が湧き上がった。
Hope surged within me.
地震で地面が突き上げられた。
The ground surged upward from the earthquake.