A suffix meaning way, manner, or style; used as '〜ryū' to indicate someone's particular method or style.
彼は自分流の料理の仕方で人気がある。
He is popular for his own style of cooking.
新しい習字の流を作るつもりだと言っていた。
He said he intended to establish a new school/style of calligraphy.
A suffix indicating a school or tradition (e.g., of arts such as flower arrangement or tea ceremony).
茶道では裏千家流や表千家流などの流がある。
In tea ceremony there are schools such as Urasenke and Omotesenke.
華道のいけばなには多くの流が存在する。
There are many schools (ryū) of ikebana (flower arrangement).
A suffix indicating class, rank, or rate; often attached after a number to show grade or level.
彼は料理人としては一流だが、接客は三流だと言われた。
He is top-class as a chef, but is said to be third-rate at customer service.
この製品は二流品と判断された。
This product was judged to be second-rate.
Can denote flow or current (as part of compounds indicating currents or streams).
日本の沿岸には黒潮という暖流が流れている。
Along Japan's coast flows the warm current called the Kuroshio.
海流の変化は漁業に大きな影響を与える。
Changes in ocean currents have a big impact on fisheries.