How to say "uprising" in Japanese

• 暴動ぼうどうJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounAn uprising in the sense of violent disorder by a crowd — a riot or mob violence. Choose it when the emphasis falls on chaos and street violence rather than an organized movement against the government.
  暴動ぼうどうの噂うわさが広ひろまっていた。↗

  Rumor of a riot was in the air.
• 一揆いっきCommon
  nounThe word for historical uprisings, especially peasant uprisings in Japan from the middle ages onward; it is the natural choice when writing about such events in Japanese history.
• 蜂起ほうきCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbAn uprising or revolt, with the nuance of people rising up against those in power; it focuses on the act of rising in revolt itself.
  小しょう作人さくにん達たちは領主りょうしゅに反抗はんこうして蜂起ほうきした。↗

  The peasants rose up in rebellion against the ruler.
• 反乱はんらんJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe general word for rebellion or revolt against an established authority, and the natural choice when 'uprising' amounts to defying a ruler or government; it also covers mutinies.
  軍隊ぐんたいは簡単かんたんに反乱はんらんを鎮圧ちんあつした。↗

  The troops easily put down the rebellion.
• 事変じへんCommon
  nounEssentially a grave incident, accident, or disaster; its 'uprising' sense is marginal, appearing chiefly in the names of historical events, so it is seldom the word you want for an uprising.

Use 暴動 for violent crowd disturbances, 一揆 for historical uprisings in Japan, especially by peasants, 蜂起 for the act of rising in revolt, 反乱 for rebellion against authority, and 事変 only for grave incidents.

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

• 暴動ぼうどうinsurrection
• 一揆いっきuprising (esp. in Japan since middle ages, e.g. peasant uprising)
• 蜂起ほうきuprising
• 反乱はんらんinsurrection
• 事変じへんaccident
• 変乱へんらんdisturbance