How to Say "Uprising" in Japanese

反乱

hanran[hã̠n̺ɾã̠ɴ]

The English phrase 'uprising' is translated into Japanese as 反乱 (hanran).

反乱 is a noun meaning a popular revolt. To express the action of staging or starting an uprising, use the verb phrase 反乱を起こす.

Meaning: a popular revolt (noun)

Which one should you use?

While 反乱 refers to a structured uprising or rebellion, 暴動 refers to a riot or a more spontaneous, disorganized outbreak of violence.

hanran

During the Edo period, peasant uprisings called 一揆 often involved a formal oath where participants signed their names in blood to ensure loyalty.
In historical Japanese contexts, the word 反乱 often carries a heavy connotation of treason against a lord, whereas in English, 'uprising' can feel more politically neutral.
Japanese has a specific word 一揆 (ikki) for a peasant uprising, which historically implied 'being as one' to coordinate against a local lord.

昨年の都市での暴動により、改革の必要性が浮き彫りになりました。
Due to last year's uprising in the city, the need for reform became evident.
農民による反乱が起きた。
Nōmin ni yoru hanran ga okita.
A peasant uprising occurred.
その反乱は数日間続いた。
Sono hanran wa sūjitsukan tsuzuita.
The uprising lasted for several days.
彼は反乱のリーダーだった。
Kare wa hanran no rīdā datta.
He was the leader of the uprising.

Two students are discussing a historical movie in a cafe.

美咲 Misaki

あの映画は反乱の歴史を描いているね。
Ano eiga wa hanran no rekishi o egaite iru ne.
That movie depicts the history of an uprising, doesn't it?
蓮 Ren

そうだね、とても迫力があったよ。
Sō da ne, totemo hakuryoku ga atta yo.
That's true, it was very powerful.
美咲 Misaki

蓮さんは、あんな大きな反乱が起きると思う？
Ren-san wa, anna ookina hanran ga okiru to omou?
Ren, do you think such a large uprising could happen?
蓮 Ren

現代ではなかなか難しいと思うよ。
Gendai de wa nakanaka muzukashii to omou yo.
I think it would be quite difficult in the modern era.

Sources

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