風波(ふうは)

ふうは
noun
wind and waves; trouble; discord
1. wind and waves; stormy seas
The literal combination of wind and waves, describing rough weather or turbulent conditions at sea.
風波(ふうは)が高(たか)い。
The wind and waves are high.
漁船(ぎょせん)は風波(ふうは)に耐(た)えながら進(すす)んだ。
The fishing boat pressed on, enduring the wind and waves.
激(はげ)しい風波(ふうは)のため、出港(しゅっこう)が見合(みあ)わされた。
Departure from port was postponed due to severe wind and waves.
2. trouble; discord; conflict
Figuratively, turmoil or discord in a situation, relationship, or organization. Implies disturbance that disrupts a previously calm state.
風波(ふうは)が立(た)った。
Trouble arose.
人事異動(じんじいどう)をめぐって風波(ふうは)が起(お)きた。
Discord arose over the personnel changes.
社内(しゃない)の風波(ふうは)が収(おさ)まるまで、新(あたら)しいプロジェクトは延期(えんき)された。
The new project was postponed until the internal discord subsided.

Literally means wind and waves, but the figurative sense of trouble or discord is more commonly encountered. The word evokes the image of a calm surface being disturbed — just as waves disrupt still water, 風波(ふうは) describes conflict that disrupts a previously peaceful situation.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 風波(ふうは)が立(た)つ: trouble arises; discord develops
  • 風波(ふうは)が起(お)きる: conflict occurs
  • 風波(ふうは)が収(おさ)まる: trouble subsides
  • 風波(ふうは)を招(まね)く: to invite trouble
  • 風波(ふうは)に耐(た)える: to endure rough seas; to weather trouble

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 波風(なみかぜ): wind and waves (reversed order) — same figurative meaning of trouble, often used in the set phrase 波風(なみかぜ)を立(た)てる (to stir up trouble)
  • 波乱(はらん): upheaval, turbulence — implies larger-scale disruption
  • 騒動(そうどう): commotion, disturbance — more concrete and immediate than 風波(ふうは)
general
Added 2026.4.29 0:30
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