流

Phono-semantic compound:

水 (water radical) – semantic, indicating water, liquid, or flowing.

㐬 (phonetic element, originally resembling a flag or streamer) – provides the sound ryu/liu.

Together, the image conveys the natural movement of water or fluids, later extended metaphorically to any unhindered movement or spreading.

Semantic range:

- literal: to flow (of water, rivers, liquids).

- to spread or circulate (goods, fashion, ideas).

- to drift or wander without fixed direction.

- to proceed smoothly, without obstruction.

Often used in compounds relating to water currents, trends, and circulation of goods or culture.

교류 (交流) – exchange, interaction

급류 (急流) – rapid current

기류 (氣流) – air current

난류 (暖流) – warm ocean current

물류 (物流) – logistics, distribution of goods

유동 (流動) – movement, circulation

유성 (流星) – meteor, “shooting star”

유통 (流通) – circulation, distribution

유행 (流行) – fashion, vogue

표류 (漂流) – drifting, adrift

풍류 (風流) – elegance, refined pleasures

한류 (韓流) – the Korean Wave (cultural trend)

Variant forms include 㳅 and 沠, both retaining the same “flow” meaning.