風 波(ふうは)

ふうは

noun

wind and waves; trouble; discord

weather society

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)

Related Words

Compare: 波風(なみかぜ) (wind and waves)

Compare: 波乱(はらん) (upheaval, turbulence)

Compare: 騒動(そうどう) (commotion, disturbance)

general

Added 2026.4.29 0:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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