煽動

• Reading: せんどう
• Romaji: sendo
• Kanji breakdown: 煽 (sen) — to fan, to stoke; 動 (do/ugo) — move, stir
• Pronunciation: /sen.doː/

Meaning

Incitement; agitation; instigation; deliberately stirring up emotions or actions in a crowd, often for political or inflammatory purposes.

A noun used with する to form 煽動する (to incite, to agitate). Carries a strongly negative connotation, implying manipulation of public sentiment. Commonly found in political discourse, legal contexts, and journalism. Also written as 扇動 using the alternative character 扇 (fan) instead of 煽.

Examples

1. 政治家が民衆を煽動して暴力的な抗議活動を引き起こした。 A politician incited the masses and provoked violent protests.
2. 煽動的な発言は社会の分断を深めるだけだ。 Inflammatory remarks only deepen social division.
3. 彼の演説は煽動罪に問われる可能性があると法学者は指摘した。 Legal scholars pointed out that his speech could be charged as incitement.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, journalism, legal discourse

Tone: negative

Origin & History

From 煽 (sen — to fan, to stoke) and 動 (do — to move, to stir). Literally means to fan something into motion, as one might fan flames to make them spread rapidly.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Political and academic circles