Translation guide
Ways to express family conflict, marital strife, or household disharmony in Japanese, ranging from formal terms to everyday phrases.
To refer to conflict, strife, or trouble within a family or household in a general sense.
A standard, neutral term for discord or disharmony within the family. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts.
家庭内不和が原因で離婚する夫婦も多い。
Many couples divorce due to domestic discord.
Specifically refers to a quarrel or fight between a married couple. Very common in everyday conversation.
隣の家から夫婦喧嘩の声が聞こえてきた。
I could hear the sound of a marital spat from next door.
A quarrel involving multiple family members, not just the couple. Common in casual speech.
お正月に家族喧嘩になってしまった。
We ended up having a family fight during New Year's.
Refers to internal strife or infighting, often within a family or close-knit group. Slightly more formal or literary.
遺産相続で内輪揉めが起きた。
Internal discord arose over the inheritance.
To emphasize conflict specifically between husband and wife, often with emotional or legal implications.
A formal term for marital discord, often used in legal or counseling contexts.
夫婦不和が続き、別居することにした。
Marital discord continued, so we decided to separate.
A common phrase meaning 'the couple's relationship is bad.' Natural in everyday conversation.
最近、夫婦仲が悪くて悩んでいる。
Lately, I've been troubled by the poor relationship with my spouse.
Describes a marital relationship that has grown cold or distant. Emphasizes emotional estrangement.
長年の不和で、夫婦関係が冷え切っている。
After years of discord, their marital relationship has grown completely cold.
Refers to a tumultuous divorce situation, often involving public or family drama. More sensational.
あの有名人の離婚騒動はすごかった。
That celebrity's divorce drama was intense.
To describe a generally unpleasant or tense atmosphere within the home, not necessarily open fighting.
A colloquial onomatopoeic phrase meaning the household atmosphere is tense, prickly, or strained.
最近、家の中がギスギスしていて居心地が悪い。
Lately, the atmosphere at home has been tense and uncomfortable.
Literally 'the air inside the home is bad,' meaning a strained or unpleasant atmosphere.
父と母が喧嘩して、家庭内の空気が悪い。
My parents fought, and now the atmosphere at home is bad.
Another onomatopoeic expression for a tense, on-edge atmosphere, like walking on eggshells.
母が怒っていて、家の中がピリピリしている。
Mom is angry, and the whole house feels on edge.
To refer to domestic violence or abuse as a severe form of domestic discord. Use with caution.
The formal term for domestic violence, often abbreviated as DV (ディーブイ). Used in legal and social contexts.
家庭内暴力は深刻な社会問題だ。
Domestic violence is a serious social problem.
The common abbreviation for domestic violence, widely understood in Japan.
彼女はDVから逃れるためにシェルターに避難した。
She fled to a shelter to escape domestic violence.
General term for abuse, which can include child abuse or elder abuse within the home. Often used in compounds like 児童虐待 (child abuse).
The English phrase 'domestic discord' is somewhat formal. In Japanese, the most natural expressions depend on the specific situation. Using a direct translation like 国内不和 (domestic as in national) would be incorrect. Always consider whether you mean general family trouble, marital fights, or a tense atmosphere.
夫婦喧嘩 (fuufu genka) is a common, everyday term for a marital spat. 家庭内不和 (kateinai fuwa) is more formal and encompasses broader family disharmony, not just between spouses. Use 夫婦喧嘩 for casual talk about a couple's fight, and 家庭内不和 for more serious or official contexts.
児童虐待は家庭内の深刻な不和から起こることがある。
Child abuse can sometimes arise from severe domestic discord.