乱す

• Reading: みだす
• Romaji: midasu
• Kanji breakdown: 乱 (ran/mida) — disorder, chaos, disturb
• Pronunciation: /mi.da.sɯ/

Meaning

To disturb; to disrupt; to throw into disorder; to upset an established order or balance.

A Group 1 (godan) verb meaning to bring chaos or disorder to something that was orderly. The subject actively destabilises a system, routine, or person's composure. It is used across a wide range of contexts: disrupting a meeting, disturbing one's peace of mind, upsetting a political balance, or causing physical disorder. Note the distinction between 乱す (transitive: to disturb something) and 乱れる (intransitive: to become disordered).

Examples

1. 不意の発言が会議の秩序を乱し、議論が脱線してしまった。 An unexpected remark disrupted the order of the meeting and sent the discussion off track.
2. 外部からの干渉が国内の政治的均衡を乱す恐れがある。 There is a risk that outside interference could upset the domestic political balance.
3. 強い感情の揺れが精神の平静を乱すことは避けられなかった。 It was inevitable that intense emotional turmoil would disturb one's peace of mind.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, social order, meetings, psychology

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From the kanji 乱 (ran), depicting disorder and chaos, with classical roots in descriptions of political upheaval and war. The transitive form 乱す implies an agent actively creating disruption.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: All classes