Meaning of 主流
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- main stream (of a river)
- fig. the essential point
- main viewpoint of a matter
- mainstream (culture etc)
How to use 主流
主流 is used both for the main channel of a river and, more often, for the dominant view or trend in society, media, or culture. It often works like an adjective before a noun, as in 主流媒体 (zhǔliú méitǐ, mainstream media). Example: 这种观点已经成为主流。(Zhè zhǒng guāndiǎn yǐjīng chéngwéi zhǔliú.) This view has already become mainstream.
主 (zhǔ) means main or master, and 流 (liú) means flow or current, so 主流 is the main current. Picture the biggest channel of a river where most of the water goes, and then think of where most people's ideas and tastes go.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 主流 with 流行 (liúxíng). 流行 means popular or trendy right now, while 主流 means dominant or accepted by the majority, which can be stable and not trendy at all. Also keep the third tone on 主 (zhǔ) and do not write 流 with an extra dot on the top right.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
主 zhǔ · owner · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
流 liú · to flow · 10 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Related words
Words that share a character with 主流.
| 主人 | zhǔrén | owner; host |
| 主要 | zhǔyào | main; principal; major; primary |
| 流行 | liúxíng | (of a contagious disease etc) to spread; to propagate; (of a style of clothing, song etc) |
| 流利 | liúlì | fluent |
| 主意 | zhǔyi | plan; idea |
| 交流 | jiāoliú | to exchange; exchange |
| 主任 | zhǔrèn | director; head |
| 主动 | zhǔdòng | to take the initiative; to do sth of one's own accord |
| 主持 | zhǔchí | to take charge of; to manage or direct |
| 主张 | zhǔzhāng | to advocate; to stand for |
| 自主 | zìzhǔ | to act independently; to be autonomous; to be in control of one's own affairs |
| 主席 | zhǔxí | chairperson; premier |
Questions about 主流
What does 主流 mean?
主流 (zhǔliú) means "main stream (of a river); fig. the essential point" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 主流?
主流 is made of 2 characters: 主 (5 strokes), 流 (10 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 主流 an HSK word?
Yes. 主流 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How do you say non-mainstream or alternative in Chinese?
Use 非主流 (fēi zhǔliú), meaning non-mainstream. In internet slang it can also refer to a 2000s youth style with heavy makeup and edited selfies, so the context matters.
What is the opposite of 主流 for a river?
For rivers, the opposite is 支流 (zhīliú), meaning tributary or branch stream. Figuratively, 支流 can also mean a minor or secondary aspect of something.