煽る

• Reading: あおる
• Romaji: aoru
• Kanji breakdown: 煽 (sen/ao) — fan, instigate; 火 — fire; 扇 — fan
• Pronunciation: /a.o.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To fan (a flame); to incite or instigate; to stir up emotions or a crowd. Implies provocation or agitation.

A Group 1 (godan) verb. The literal sense is fanning fire or wind, but it is most commonly used figuratively for inciting people, inflaming emotions, or provoking reactions. In modern usage, 煽る frequently appears in media and social contexts, such as sensational journalism 人々を煽る or online trolling. The agent who 煽る is often blamed for escalating conflict.

Examples

1. 強風が炎を煽り、山火事はあっという間に広がった。 Strong winds fanned the flames, and the wildfire spread in no time.
2. 扇動的な演説が群衆を煽り、その場は騒然となった。 An inflammatory speech incited the crowd, and the scene became chaotic.
3. ネット上でわざと感情を煽るような書き込みをするのは慎むべきだ。 One should refrain from deliberately posting content online that is designed to inflame people's emotions.

Usage Guide

Context: media, politics, social media, daily life

Tone: negative

Origin & History

The kanji 煽 combines 火 (fire) and 扇 (fan), directly depicting the act of fanning flames. This etymology reflects both the literal and figurative meanings of the verb.

Cultural Context

Era: Contemporary

Generation: All ages

Social background: General