乱
riot · war · disorder · disturb
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Combines 'hidden' (乚) with 'tongue' (舌), representing a chaotic state where order is disturbed. Indicates the opposite of regularity.
Symbolism
Symbolizes chaos, disorder, and turbulence. Represents collapsed order and the potential for transformation arising from it.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Era of war
Component Breakdown
tongue + 乚
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一心不乱
いっしんふらん
wholeheartedly; with heart and soul; intently
快刀乱麻
かいとうらんま
solving a problem swiftly and skillfully
怪力乱神
かいりょくらんしん
supernatural things; unnatural phenomena; spirits and demons
波乱万丈
はらんばんじょう
stormy and full of drama; full of ups and downs; with many vicissitudes
百花繚乱
ひゃっかりょうらん
a gathering of many beautiful women (talented people); simultaneous emergence of many talents and achievements; hundred flowers blooming in profusion
風紀紊乱
ふうきびんらん
corrupt public morals
粗製乱造
そせいらんぞう
mass production of inferior goods
乱射乱撃
らんしゃらんげき
random shooting
職権乱用
しょっけんらんよう
abuse of authority; abuse of public office; misfeasance
狂喜乱舞
きょうきらんぶ
boisterous dance; dancing wildly
治乱興亡
ちらんこうぼう
nation's times of peace and war, rise and fall
波乱曲折
はらんきょくせつ
very involved and troublesome situation; complicated twists and turns
風俗壊乱
ふうぞくかいらん
corruption of public morals; an offense against public morality
乱暴狼藉
らんぼうろうぜき
running amok; committing an outrage; rampageous behavior
乱離骨灰
らりこっぱい
being scattered in all directions; being broken up and dispersed
乱臣賊子
らんしんぞくし
rebels against one's lord and one's parents; rebellious (treacherous) subject; traitor
Poetry
陸奥の しのぶもぢずり 誰ゆゑに 乱れそめにし われならなくに
Like the tangled fern-print cloth of Michinoku — for whose sake has my heart fallen into disorder? Not my own doing.
長からむ 心も知らず 黒髪の 乱れてけさは 物をこそ思へ
I do not know whether your heart will last, and this morning my black hair is as tangled as my thoughts.
Anime & Manga
乱と灰色の世界
Ran and the Gray World
A well-known work with 乱 in its Japanese title.
我間乱 〜GAMARAN〜
Gamaran
A well-known work with 乱 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 乱 mean in Japanese?
乱 means riot, war, disorder, disturb.
How do you read 乱?
On'yomi: ラン、ロン (RAN, RON). Kun'yomi: みだ.れる、みだ.る、みだ.す、みだ、おさ.める、わた.る (midareru, midaru, midasu, mida, osameru, wataru).
How many strokes does 乱 have?
乱 has 7 strokes. Its radical is 乙 (second).
Is 乱 a good kanji for a tattoo?
乱 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means riot, war, disorder, disturb. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.