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.
スープをかき混ぜてください。
Please stir the soup.
A general verb for mixing, often used for combining ingredients. Can imply stirring but is broader.
小麦粉と卵を混ぜる。
Mix flour and eggs.
Stir vigorously or roughly, sometimes with a negative nuance of disturbing or messing up.
彼はコーヒーをスプーンでかき回した。
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.
その発言が大きな論争を引き起こした。
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.
彼は群衆を扇動して暴動を起こさせた。
He stirred up the crowd and caused a riot.
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.
その薬はアレルギー反応を誘発する可能性がある。
The drug may stir up an allergic reaction.
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.
彼の演説は聴衆を行動に駆り立てた。
His speech stirred up the audience to action.
To inspire or rouse someone's spirit, often used for motivation.
コーチは選手たちを奮い立たせた。
The coach stirred up the players.
To incite an uprising or rebellion. Strong and specific to revolts.
その指導者は民衆を蜂起させた。
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.
Literally 'stir and make cloudy'. Used when sediment is disturbed.
瓶の底の沈殿物をかき混ぜて濁らせないで。
Don't stir up the sediment at the bottom of the bottle.
To stir up sediment, literally 'send sediment flying up'. More vivid.
急に動くと水槽の沈殿物を巻き上げる。
If you move suddenly, you'll stir up the sediment in the tank.
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.
その映画は好奇心をかき立てる。
The movie stirs up curiosity.
The media is stirring up anxiety.