How to say "turmoil" in Japanese

• 騒動そうどうJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbTurmoil as actual public disorder — riots, disturbances, strife. Use it when the turmoil is an event or commotion involving many people, not a private feeling or an abstract state of confusion.
  警察けいさつが騒動そうどうに介入かいにゅうした。↗

  The police intervened in the disturbance.
• 混迷こんめいCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbTurmoil as chaos and confusion in a situation — politics, business, or affairs thrown into disarray. It stresses that things have become muddled and direction is lost, rather than noisy commotion.
• 波乱はらんCommon
  nounTurmoil in the figurative sense of rough waves — trouble, commotion, or unexpected ups and downs in events or undertakings. It suggests turbulence and disturbance rather than a state of deep confusion.
• 激動げきどうCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbTurmoil as violent upheaval — turbulence and agitation on a large scale, especially of the times, society, or history. Fits periods or circumstances shaken by drastic, violent change.
• 動揺どうようJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbTurmoil as inner agitation — an unsettled, shaken state of mind, or unrest spreading among people. For emotional turmoil or public unease this is the natural choice, not for physical disorder.
  このニュースを聞きいて非常ひじょうに動揺どうようした。↗

  I was profoundly disturbed by this news.

Choose by what is in turmoil: public disorder is 騒動, chaotic confusion of affairs is 混迷, turbulent ups and downs in events are 波乱, violent upheaval of the times is 激動, and inner agitation is 動揺.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 騒動そうどうriot
• 混迷こんめいturmoil
• 波乱はらんdisturbance
• 激動げきどうviolent shock
• どさくさconfusion
• 混迷状態こんめいじょうたいchaotic state
• 大混乱だいこんらんchaos
• 大騒動おおそうどうgreat disturbance
• やっさもっさhurly-burly
• 動揺どうようdisturbance
• 渦中かちゅう(in the middle of a) scandal