混乱 — meaning in English: confusion

konran · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for mess

建設

kensetsu

委員会

iinkai

混乱

konran

強

kyō

もちろん

mochiron

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Japanese for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word 混乱 (konran) in situations where there is a lack of clarity or order, such as during a chaotic event or when discussing a confusing set of instructions. For example, someone might describe a busy train station at rush hour as 混乱 when people are scrambling to catch their trains amidst loud announcements.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 迷惑 (meiwaku), which means 'trouble' or 'inconvenience'. While 混乱 (konran) specifically refers to confusion or disorder, 迷惑 (meiwaku) implies a more personal disruption, often affecting someone's peace or comfort. You would use 混乱 when talking about general chaos, but choose 迷惑 when you want to emphasize the troubling aspect for an individual.

Culture

The term 混乱 (konran) has roots in the Kanji characters 混 (kon), meaning 'mix', and 乱 (ran), meaning 'disorder'. This reflects the very nature of confusion as a mixture of disorderly elements. Interestingly, in Japanese culture, the concept of 混乱 is often associated with moments of unexpected surprises, highlighting the unpredictable nature of life.

FAQ

Q.What does 混乱 mean in English?

混乱 (konran) translates to 'confusion' in English, referring to a state of disorder or a lack of clarity.

Q.How do you use 混乱 in a sentence?

You can use 混乱 in a sentence like this: '会議は混乱でした' (The meeting was confusing).

Q.Is 混乱 used in formal contexts?

Yes, 混乱 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for various situations.

Learn japanese with Maspeak →

Japanese 2000