奔流

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 奔流 is a noun read ほんりゅう, meaning a rushing current or a torrent-like surge.
• Basic usage: Use 奔流となって谷を下る for an actual torrent and 奔流のように…満たす for something figuratively surging through a place.
  • 雪解け水が奔流となって谷を下った。 describes snowmelt becoming a torrent and flowing down the valley; 人々の声が奔流のように広場を満たした。 compares the voices filling the square to a rushing current.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 奔流となる
  • と marks the resulting state into which the snowmelt changes.
• 奔流のように
  • ように signals a comparison: the voices are not water but spread with torrent-like force.
• Literal and figurative flow
  • The valley example is physical water, while the square example uses the force of a torrent figuratively.