กระแส

Explanation

The core image is a continuous movement in a particular direction. The meaning extends from a water current, as in กระแสน้ำ, to electric current and then to trends and public attention. In present-day conversation and news reports, กระแส used without a qualifier often refers to a social trend or buzz. เป็นกระแส means to become widely discussed, ตามกระแส means to follow a trend, and สวนกระแส or ทวนกระแส means to go against the prevailing current. Expressions such as ตามกระแส and ทวนกระแส can describe both literal water currents and figurative social currents. กระแส also forms many compounds by being followed by the thing that flows, as in กระแสเงินสด, “cash flow.”

Usage

It is common in social media, entertainment, advertising, politics, and news when discussing public attention, reactions, or social trends. It is also used for currents in water and air, and in electrical or infrastructure contexts for electric current. In business and accounting, กระแสเงินสด means “cash flow.”

Caution

กระแส cannot replace every use of “flow.” The sequence or progression of a conversation, story, or procedure normally requires a different word. Also, เป็นกระแส does not simply mean “famous.” It suggests that something is currently receiving widespread attention or discussion, which may be either positive or negative.

1 social trend synonyms

• ความนิยม

  ความนิยม means popularity or the degree to which something is liked. กระแส can refer to widespread attention or discussion even when the attention is negative.

• แนวโน้ม

  แนวโน้ม refers to an observable direction of change or a likely future development. กระแส emphasizes a social movement or burst of attention spreading among many people.

2 current synonyms

• สายน้ำ

  สายน้ำ usually refers to a continuous body or stream of water. กระแส, especially กระแสน้ำ, focuses on the water's movement, direction, or force.