flow

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 流 has 10 strokes and describes water or tears flowing or being made to flow.
• Basic usage: 流す is read ながす, and 流れる is read ながれる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Causing flow and flowing
  • 水を流して describes sending water flowing.
  • 川が流れている describes a river flowing.
• Tears and music
  • うれしさのあまり涙を流す means shedding tears from overwhelming happiness.
  • 音楽が流れていた means music was playing.