1.
war; warfare; turmoil of war
The state of widespread warfare and the chaos and destruction it brings. Emphasizes the prolonged, chaotic nature of conflict rather than a single battle or military operation.
戦乱の世を生き抜いた。
They survived through an era of war.
戦乱で多くの文化財が失われた。
Many cultural treasures were lost in the turmoil of war.
長い戦乱が終わり、ようやく平和な時代が訪れた。
The long period of warfare ended, and a peaceful era finally arrived.
USAGE:
戦乱 evokes extended periods of conflict and chaos, not a single battle. It is commonly used in historical narratives, particularly about Japan's Sengoku period (戦国時代) or other prolonged civil wars. Compare with 戦争 (war), which is a more general and modern term, and 内乱 (civil war/rebellion), which specifies internal conflict.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 戦乱の世: an age of warfare
- 戦乱が続く: warfare continues
- 戦乱を逃れる: to flee from war
- 戦乱に巻き込まれる: to be caught up in war