Translation guide
The English word "torrent" can refer to a heavy downpour of rain, a rushing stream of water, or a figurative flood of something like words or emotions. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Describing a very heavy, sudden downpour of rain.
Common word for torrential rain, often used in weather reports and news.
Last night, the river flooded due to torrential rain.
Colloquial term for a downpour, like 'pouring rain'. More casual than 豪雨.
It's pouring outside, so you'd better take an umbrella.
Literally 'rain like a waterfall', a vivid simile for torrential rain.
It was raining so hard I could barely see ahead.
Referring to a fast, violent flow of water, such as a mountain stream or floodwater.
General term for a swift current or torrent, used for rivers and streams.
That river is a torrent, and swimming there is dangerous.
Emphasizes the rushing, surging nature of a torrent; often used in literary contexts.
Specifically a muddy torrent, often after heavy rain or flooding.
Describing a large, uncontrolled outpouring of something abstract like words, abuse, or emotions.
Pattern meaning 'a torrent of ~', used figuratively for words, emotions, etc. The noun before の describes what is flowing.
He couldn't hold back the torrent of anger.
I was overwhelmed by her torrent of words.
Literally 'a flood of ~', used similarly to 'torrent' for large quantities of something, often information or emotions.
Adverb meaning 'in rapid succession', used for a torrent of questions or words. Implies quick, continuous outpouring.
While 'torrent' can be translated as 豪雨 or 土砂降り, directly saying 'torrent of rain' as 雨の急流 is unnatural. Use the specific rain words instead.
奔流が岩を削っていく。
The torrent carves away the rocks.
豪雨の後、川は濁流と化した。
After the heavy rain, the river turned into a muddy torrent.
The internet is overflowing with a torrent of information.
The reporters fired a torrent of questions.