波紋

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 波紋 (はもん) is a noun for a ripple on water or, figuratively, repercussions caused by an event or remark.
• Basic usage: It describes visible rings on a pond or the broader effect of a careless statement.
  • 池に石を落とすと円い波紋が広がった。 — Circular ripples spread when I dropped a stone into the pond.
  • 不用意な発言が仲間の間に波紋を呼んだ。 — The careless remark caused repercussions among colleagues.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Water ripple and social repercussions
  • 波紋 literally names ripples on water, while 波紋を呼ぶ figuratively means that words or events provoke reactions or wider repercussions.