波紋

• Reading: はもん
• Romaji: hamon
• Kanji breakdown: 波 (ha) — wave; 紋 (mon) — pattern, crest, design
• Pronunciation: /ha.moɴ/

Meaning

Ripple; ripple effect. Concentric circles spreading on water, or figuratively, the spreading impact of an event.

A noun used both literally for the circular waves that spread when water is disturbed and figuratively for the spreading consequences or reactions caused by an event. The figurative use is very common in news and everyday conversation. Common collocations include 波紋を広げる (hamon wo hirogeru, spread ripples/cause a stir), 波紋を呼ぶ (hamon wo yobu, create waves/cause controversy), and 波紋が広がる (hamon ga hirogaru, ripples spread).

Examples

1. 池に石を投げると波紋が広がった。 When I threw a stone into the pond, ripples spread across the surface.
2. 大臣の発言は政界に大きな波紋を広げた。 The minister's statement sent ripples through the political world.
3. その事件は社会に波紋を呼んだ。 That incident caused waves throughout society.

Usage Guide

Context: news, politics, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 波 (ha, wave) + 紋 (mon, pattern/crest). Literally 'wave pattern' — the concentric circular pattern created by a disturbance in water.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal