上流

• Reading: じょうりゅう
• Romaji: jouryuu
• Kanji breakdown: 上 (jou/ue) — upper, above; 流 (ryuu/naga) — flow, stream, current
• Pronunciation: /dʑoː.ɾʲɯː/

Meaning

Upper stream; upper course; upper reaches of a river.

A noun referring to the upstream portion of a river. Also used figuratively to mean 'upper class' (上流社会, jouryuu shakai, high society) or the early stages of a process (上流工程, upstream process in engineering). The opposite is 下流 (karyuu, downstream/lower class).

Examples

1. 川の上流に美しい滝がある。 There is a beautiful waterfall upstream on the river.
2. 上流から大量の水が流れてきた。 A large amount of water came flowing down from upstream.
3. この工場は川の上流に位置している。 This factory is located upstream on the river.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, environment, engineering, social class

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 上 (jou, upper/above) + 流 (ryuu, flow/stream). Literally 'upper flow,' describing the portion of a waterway closer to its source. The figurative 'upper class' meaning developed from the metaphor of being at the source.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal