1.
rough waves; stormy seas
Violent, turbulent waves on the sea. Also used figuratively to describe harsh trials, adversity, or turbulent circumstances in life.
A compound of 荒 (rough, wild) and 波 (wave).
Common collocations
- 荒波にもまれる (be tossed about by rough waves; go through hardships)
- 荒波を乗り越える (overcome rough seas/adversity)
- 荒波が打ちつける (rough waves crash against)
- 社会の荒波 (the rough waves of society)
The figurative use is very common: 荒波にもまれる describes being tested by life's hardships, and 人生の荒波 means the trials and tribulations of life. This metaphorical extension gives the word a literary, somewhat poetic quality.