Definition

Noun: 1. A current of water; a flow of water: Refers to a moving body of water, such as in a river, stream, or channel. It emphasizes the movement and direction of the water. 2. A stream; a watercourse: Can refer to a small, narrow river or a natural channel where water flows.

Usage Examples

• The dòng nước in this river is very strong after the rain. (The current of water in this river is very strong after the rain.)
• Children were playing in the shallow dòng nước of the creek. (Children were playing in the shallow stream of the creek.)
• The boat drifted along with the dòng nước. (The boat drifted along with the current.)

Advanced Usage

• "theo dòng nước": To go with the flow; to follow the current (can be used literally or figuratively).
  • Chúng tôi chèo thuyền theo dòng nước. (We rowed the boat with the current.)
• "ngược dòng nước": To go against the current (can be used literally or figuratively to mean opposing a trend).
  • Cá hồi bơi ngược dòng nước để đẻ trứng. (Salmon swim against the current to spawn.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dòng chảy (n): Flow, current. A more general term for the flow of any liquid or even abstract things (e.g., dòng chảy thông tin - flow of information).
• Dòng sông (n): River. Specifically refers to a river.
• Suối (n): Stream, brook. A small, natural flow of water.
• Nước (n): Water. The fundamental substance.

Synonyms

• Dòng chảy: flow, current.
• Luồng nước: stream of water, water flow.

Related Phrases

• Dòng nước lũ: Flood current; torrent.
• Dòng nước xiết: Swift/rapid current.
• Dòng nước ngầm: Underground water flow; aquifer.

noun

1. current of water