Translation guide
To cause disorder, disarray, or bewilderment in a situation, plan, or person's mind.
To disrupt a situation, plan, or system, making it chaotic or disorganized.
The most direct and common way to say 'throw into confusion'. Used for situations, systems, or groups.
その発表は市場を混乱させた。
The announcement threw the market into confusion.
彼の突然の辞任が計画を混乱させた。
His sudden resignation threw the plan into confusion.
To make someone feel confused, unable to think clearly, or uncertain.
Also used for causing mental confusion in a person. The subject can be a person, event, or information.
彼の説明は私を混乱させた。
His explanation threw me into confusion.
To upset or interfere with carefully made plans, schedules, or arrangements.
混乱させる is general for causing confusion (mental or situational). 狂わせる specifically means to disrupt a plan, schedule, or expected order, like throwing a mechanism out of sync.
彼の質問が会議を混乱させた。
His question threw the meeting into confusion.
アクシデントが計画を狂わせた。
The accident threw the plan into confusion.
Do not translate 'throw' literally as 投げる. The English idiom does not carry over. Use the verbs above depending on context.
To disturb or disrupt order, rhythm, or harmony. Often used for abstract things like pace, balance, or peace.
そのニュースが会議の流れを乱した。
The news threw the meeting into confusion.
彼の行動はチームの調和を乱した。
His actions threw the team's harmony into confusion.
Colloquial phrase meaning to mess up or throw into complete disorder. Stronger and more casual than 混乱させる.
彼が来てから、すべてがめちゃくちゃになった。
After he arrived, everything was thrown into confusion.
Literally 'to stir up and disturb'. Used for emotions, atmosphere, or order. More literary or emphatic.
その事件は村の平和を掻き乱した。
The incident threw the village's peace into confusion.
The sudden question threw him into confusion.
To cause someone to be perplexed or at a loss. Emphasizes the person's hesitation or bewilderment.
彼女の反応は私を戸惑わせた。
Her reaction threw me into confusion.
Literally 'to confuse one's head'. Colloquial way to say something messes with your thinking.
この問題は頭を混乱させる。
This problem throws my head into confusion.
To lead astray, deceive, or bewilder. Often used when someone is misled or tricked into confusion.
彼の言葉は私を惑わした。
His words threw me into confusion.
To throw something off track, disrupt a plan or schedule. Commonly used with 計画 (plan) or 予定 (schedule).
雨で計画が狂った。
The rain threw our plans into confusion.
彼の遅刻がスケジュールを狂わせた。
His lateness threw the schedule into confusion.
To ruin or spoil something. Stronger than 狂わせる, implies the plan is completely messed up.
彼のミスで全てが台無しになった。
His mistake threw everything into confusion.
Colloquial phrase specifically for messing up plans.
彼が計画をめちゃくちゃにした。
He threw the plan into confusion.