Translation guide
The English word "fight" covers physical combat, verbal arguments, and metaphorical struggles. Japanese uses different words for each. This guide helps you choose the right one.
A physical altercation between people, usually involving punching.
They got into a fight. · He started a fight with me. · a street fight
The most common word for a physical fight or quarrel. Can also mean a verbal argument. Used for fights between individuals or small groups.
昨日、友達と喧嘩した。
I got into a fight with my friend yesterday.
あの二人はよく喧嘩する。
Those two often fight.
Specifically a fistfight or brawl where people are punching each other. More violent than 喧嘩.
Hand-to-hand combat, often used in sports or formal contexts like martial arts. Can also mean a struggle.
A heated verbal dispute, not physical.
We had a fight about politics. · They're always fighting.
A sustained effort to overcome a problem, often abstract.
the fight against cancer · She fought bravely. · fight for justice
Combat between armed forces.
They fought in the war. · The battle was fierce.
A regulated physical contest.
The fight is scheduled for tonight. · He won the fight by knockout.
The action of fighting, without specifying the type.
Stop fighting! · They fought all the time.
To fight, quarrel. The most common verb for interpersonal fights.
子供たちが喧嘩している。
The children are fighting.
喧嘩 implies a personal, often emotional fight. For military battles, use 戦闘 or 戦い. For sports matches, use 試合.
Both read たたかい. 戦い is general struggle/battle; 闘い often implies a personal, hand-to-hand, or internal struggle. In many cases they are interchangeable, but 戦い is more common for large-scale conflicts.
ファイト！ is a common cheer meaning 'Go for it!' or 'You can do it!' It doesn't mean a physical fight in this context.
酒場で殴り合いが始まった。
A fistfight broke out at the bar.
彼は格闘技の経験がある。
He has experience in hand-to-hand combat.
A verbal argument or dispute. More formal than 喧嘩, and clearly non-physical.
彼らはお金のことで口論した。
They had an argument about money.
A verbal dispute or quarrel. Emphasizes the exchange of words.
言い争いはすぐに収まった。
The argument quickly settled down.
Can also mean a verbal fight, especially in casual speech. Context usually makes it clear.
夫婦喧嘩は犬も食わない。
A marital quarrel is best left alone. (lit. Even a dog won't eat a marital fight.)
A fight, battle, or struggle. Used for both literal and metaphorical fights against diseases, injustice, etc.
彼の癌との戦いは続いている。
His fight against cancer continues.
貧困との戦い
the fight against poverty
Same as 戦い but often used for personal, internal struggles or sports. The kanji implies a more hand-to-hand or personal struggle.
自分との闘いだ。
It's a fight against myself.
To stand up to, to confront. A verb meaning to face a challenge or opponent.
困難に立ち向かう。
to fight against difficulties
Battle, combat. Used for military engagements.
激しい戦闘が行われた。
Fierce fighting took place.
Battle, fight. Can be used for war, but also metaphorical struggles.
最後の戦いが始まった。
The final battle began.
To fight, to battle. The verb form.
彼らは勇敢に戦った。
They fought bravely.
Match, game, bout. The standard word for a sports contest.
今夜、ボクシングの試合がある。
There's a boxing fight tonight.
Loanword from English. Used as an interjection to cheer someone on, or as a noun for a fight in sports contexts.
ファイト！
Fight! / Go for it!
Can be used for a sports match when emphasizing the struggle aspect, but 試合 is more common.
これはチャンピオン同士の戦いだ。
This is a fight between champions.
To fight, to struggle. Used for battles, wars, and metaphorical fights.
彼は最後まで戦った。
He fought to the end.
To exchange blows, to have a fistfight. Specifically physical.
彼らは激しく殴り合った。
They fought fiercely (with fists).