Translation guide
This concept refers to the general direction or prevailing tendency of a particular period. In Japanese, it is often expressed through nouns like 時流 or 時代の流れ, or by describing something as being in fashion or a current trend.
To refer to the overall direction or tendency of society at a given time.
A common noun meaning 'current of the times' or 'trend of the times'. Often used in phrases like 時流に乗る (to go with the times).
時流に乗ってビジネスを始めた。
I started a business following the trend of the times.
Literally 'the flow of the era', this is a very natural way to express the trend of the times in everyday conversation.
時代の流れで、紙の本を読む人が減っている。
Due to the trend of the times, fewer people are reading paper books.
Loanword from English 'trend', commonly used in business, fashion, and social media contexts.
今年のトレンドはサステナビリティだ。
This year's trend is sustainability.
Refers to a fashion, fad, or popular trend, often for shorter-term phenomena.
その服は今の流行に合っている。
Those clothes are in line with the current trend.
To express the action of following or adapting to the trend of the times.
Common phrase meaning 'to ride the current of the times', i.e., to go with the trend.
彼はいつも時流に乗るのが上手だ。
He is always good at going with the trend of the times.
Means 'to adapt to the times', emphasizing adjustment to current trends.
会社は時代に合わせてサービスを変えた。
The company changed its services to adapt to the trend of the times.
To refer to something that symbolizes or represents the current era's trends.
Literally 'symbol of the era', used to describe something emblematic of the times.
スマートフォンは時代の象徴だ。
Smartphones are a symbol of the trend of the times.
Means 'reflecting the times', used to describe something that shows current trends.
この映画は時代を反映している。
This movie reflects the trend of the times.
時流 refers to broader societal trends over a period, while 流行 is more about short-term fads or fashions. Use 時流 for 'trend of the times' in a historical or social sense, and 流行 for things like clothing or music trends.
トレンド is a loanword and is very common in casual and business contexts, especially in marketing and social media. It can often replace 流行 but sounds more modern.
時代の流れはリモートワークに向かっている。
The trend of the times is toward remote work.
彼はいつも時流に乗っている。
He always follows the trend of the times.