1.
upheaval; turmoil; disturbance; civil unrest
Large-scale social or political disorder, including riots, revolts, and periods of instability. Often used to describe historical periods of conflict or significant social disruption.
国内が動乱に陥る。
The country falls into turmoil.
幕末の動乱を描いた小説を読んだ。
I read a novel depicting the turmoil at the end of the Edo period.
政治的な動乱が続き、多くの市民が国外へ避難した。
Amid ongoing political upheaval, many citizens fled the country.
A literary and formal word often found in news reporting and historical writing. Common collocations: 動乱の時代 (era of turmoil), 動乱に陥る (to fall into turmoil), 政治的動乱 (political upheaval). The 朝鮮動乱 is a formal Japanese name for the Korean War. Compare with 混乱 (confusion, disorder — more general and milder) and 暴動 (riot — a specific violent act).