Translation guide
The English word "turbulence" can refer to physical chaotic fluid motion, rough air during flights, or metaphorical instability. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Describing irregular, swirling movement in a fluid, often in scientific or technical contexts.
The standard scientific term for turbulent flow in physics and engineering.
パイプ内の乱流を解析する。
Analyze the turbulence inside the pipe.
Specifically refers to turbulent air, often used in aviation or meteorology.
乱気流に巻き込まれた。
We were caught in turbulence.
A formal term for atmospheric disturbance or turbulence, used in meteorology.
大気の擾乱が観測された。
Atmospheric turbulence was observed.
The shaking or bumpiness experienced on an airplane due to unstable air currents.
The most common and natural way to refer to turbulence on a plane. Literally means 'shaking' or 'swaying'.
飛行機が揺れています。
The plane is experiencing turbulence.
少し揺れましたね。
That was a bit of turbulence, wasn't it?
The technical term for turbulent air, often used in announcements or news. More formal than 揺れ.
A casual phrase meaning 'the air currents are bad', used to describe bumpy flight conditions.
今日は気流が悪くて、ずっと揺れてるね。
The air is really rough today; it's been bumpy the whole time.
Describing a state of confusion, disorder, or upheaval in non-physical contexts.
General term for confusion, disorder, or chaos. Fits most metaphorical uses of 'turbulence'.
政界は混乱している。
The political world is in turbulence.
心の混乱を鎮める。
Calm the turbulence in one's heart.
Refers to violent upheaval or drastic change, often used for historical or social turbulence.
Emotional disturbance, agitation, or unrest. Often used for personal or market turbulence.
Ups and downs, troubles, or storms; often used in set phrases like 波乱万丈 (turbulent life).
In everyday conversation, 揺れ (yure) is the most natural word for turbulence on a plane. 乱気流 (rankiryū) is more technical and often appears in written announcements or news. Using 乱気流 in casual speech can sound overly formal.
さっきの揺れ、すごかったね。
That turbulence just now was intense, wasn't it?
乱気流に注意してください。
Please be aware of turbulence. (formal announcement)
Directly translating 'turbulence' as 乱流 in metaphorical contexts (e.g., emotional turbulence) is unnatural. Use 混乱, 動揺, or 激動 depending on the nuance.
飛行機はひどい揺れに遭遇した。
The plane encountered severe turbulence.
Natural in narrative; in speech, ひどく揺れた is more common.
その国は政治的混乱を経験している。
The country is going through political turbulence.
乱気流のため、シートベルト着用のサインが点灯しています。
Due to turbulence, the fasten seatbelt sign is on.
激動の時代を生き抜く。
Survive through turbulent times.
そのニュースで市場が動揺した。
The news caused turbulence in the market.
彼は少しも動揺しなかった。
He showed no sign of emotional turbulence.
It was a turbulent life.