1.
turbulence; upheaval; troubles; stormy developments
Dramatic twists, disruptions, or unexpected turns of events. Often used to describe a life, era, or situation filled with dramatic ups and downs.
波乱に満ちた人生だった。
It was a life full of turmoil.
今回の選挙は波乱の展開となった。
This election took a turbulent turn.
大会初日から波乱が起き、優勝候補が次々と敗退した。
Upsets occurred from the first day of the tournament, and favorites were eliminated one after another.
USAGE:
波乱 literally means "waves and turmoil," evoking the image of a stormy sea. The most iconic phrase is 波乱万丈 (extremely eventful, full of ups and downs), commonly used to describe someone's dramatic life story. In sports and politics, 波乱 often means an upset or unexpected outcome.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 波乱に満ちた: full of turmoil, turbulent
- 波乱万丈: extremely eventful, full of dramatic ups and downs
- 波乱の展開: turbulent developments
- 波乱が起きる: an upset occurs
- 波乱の幕開け: a turbulent beginning