流行

• Reading: りゅうこう
• Romaji: ryuukou
• Kanji breakdown: 流 (ryū) — flow, stream; 行 (kō) — go, travel
• Pronunciation: /ɾjɯː.koː/

Meaning

Trend; fashion; prevalence. Something that is popular or widespread at a given time.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (流行する) and an adjective (流行の). Read as りゅうこう in standard usage. Used for fashion trends (流行のファッション), popular culture (流行語 = buzzword), and the spread of diseases (インフルエンザが流行する = flu is going around). Also read as はやり in more casual speech.

Examples

1. 今年はこのデザインが流行している。 This design is trending this year.
2. 流行の服を買いすぎないようにしている。 I try not to buy too many trendy clothes.
3. インフルエンザが全国で流行している。 The flu is spreading nationwide.

Usage Guide

Context: fashion, culture, health

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 流 (ryū, flow/stream) and 行 (kō, go/travel). Literally 'flowing and going' — something that spreads and moves through society like a current.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal