Translation guide
The English phrase "stir up" has several distinct meanings. It can refer to physically mixing something, causing or provoking emotions or trouble, or rousing people to action. This guide breaks down these uses and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
To mix a liquid, powder, or other substance by moving a spoon or similar tool in circular motions.
The most common and general verb for stirring or mixing something with a utensil.
Please stir the soup.
A general verb for mixing, often used for combining ingredients. Can imply stirring but is broader.
Mix flour and eggs.
Stir vigorously or roughly, sometimes with a negative nuance of disturbing or messing up.
He stirred his coffee with a spoon.
To cause a particular feeling, reaction, or situation, often negative or intense.
To cause or bring about something, often used for problems, emotions, or events.
The remark stirred up a huge controversy.
To stir up or arouse emotions, curiosity, or imagination strongly.
To incite or agitate people, often used in political or social contexts. Can have a negative connotation.
To fan or stir up emotions, often used for inciting fear, anxiety, or excitement. Can be casual.
To induce or trigger something, often used in medical or technical contexts.
To encourage people to take action, often in a collective or rebellious way.
To spur or drive someone to action, often with a strong emotional push.
His speech stirred up the audience to action.
To inspire or rouse someone's spirit, often used for motivation.
The coach stirred up the players.
To incite an uprising or rebellion. Strong and specific to revolts.
The leader stirred up the people to revolt.
To cause particles at the bottom of a liquid to rise and mix, often making it cloudy.
Do not use かき混ぜる for emotional or social 'stirring up'. It only means physical mixing. Use 引き起こす or かき立てる instead.
引き起こす is general for causing events or problems, while かき立てる specifically arouses emotions or curiosity. 扇動する is for inciting people, often negatively.
The movie stirs up curiosity.
He stirred up the crowd and caused a riot.
The media is stirring up anxiety.
The drug may stir up an allergic reaction.
If you move suddenly, you'll stir up the sediment in the tank.