不和
fuwa[ɸɯ̟β̞a̠]
The English phrase 'discord' in Japanese is 不和 (fuwa).
The term 不和 refers specifically to a lack of harmony or agreement between people. If you are talking about the communication software, it is most common to use the katakana transliteration ディスコード rather than a kanji translation.
Meaning: app (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 不和 is composed of the kanji 不 (fu), meaning 'non-' or 'un-' and 和 (wa), meaning 'harmony' or 'peace'.
Which one should you use?
While the English word 'Discord' is most commonly used today as a proper noun for the communication app, the Japanese word 不和 (fuwa) refers to a lack of harmony or agreement between people. For musical contexts, the term 不協和音 is used to describe a discordant sound or dissonance. For describing a messy or disordered situation, the informal term ごたごた is used.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
fuwa
What mistakes should you avoid?
When you want to refer to the communication software 'Discord', do not use the kanji translation 不和. Instead, use the katakana transliteration ディスコード.
Did you know?
- The kanji 和 in 不和 is also used in the term 和食 ('wa-shoku') to denote traditional Japanese food. It links the concept of national identity to the idea of harmony.
- The informal word for disorder ごたごた is an onomatopoeic expression. It is designed to mimic the actual sound or feeling of things becoming tangled and cluttered.
- Using the kanji 不和 to refer to the communication app would be interpreted as calling the software 'The Lack of Harmony'. This would likely be seen as a dark or ironic joke.
Examples in context
- 彼らの間には不和が生じている。There is discord between them.
- この会合では、不協和音が耳につく。During this meeting, discordant sounds are noticeable.
- 彼らはいつも揉めている。They are always in discord.
- 最近、仕事がごたごたしていて不和が生じている。Lately, work has been chaotic, leading to discord.
- グループ内に不和が生じた。Guruupu nai ni fuwa ga shoujita.Discord arose within the group.
- 二人の間に不和があるようだ。Futari no aida ni fuwa ga aru youda.There seems to be discord between the two.
Example conversation
Two siblings are discussing a disagreement between their friends.
- 陽葵 Himari彼らの間に不和があるみたい。Karera no aida ni fuwa ga aru mitai.It looks like there is discord between them.
- 陽太 Yota本当かな？心配だよ。Hontou kana? Shinpai dayo.Really? I'm worried.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太君、何かできることはある？Hinata-kun, nanika dekiru koto wa aru?Hinata, is there anything you can do?
- 陽太 Yota僕が話を聞いてみるよ。Boku ga hanashi o kiite miru yo.I'll try talking to them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 不和, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
