Translation guide
The English word 'conflict' covers a wide range of situations, from personal disagreements to large-scale wars. This guide organizes the main meanings and provides natural Japanese expressions for each.
Express a clash of opinions, a quarrel, or a personal dispute.
A general term for opposition or confrontation between people, groups, or ideas. Can be used for both personal and larger-scale conflicts.
He and I have conflicting opinions.
Literally 'collision', used for clashes of opinions or personalities. Slightly stronger than 対立, implying a more direct confrontation.
Their opinions often conflict.
A dispute or quarrel. Can be used for arguments, fights, or legal disputes. More emotional than 対立.
A conflict arose between the brothers.
Discord or disharmony, often used for ongoing bad relations rather than a single argument. Somewhat formal.
Discord arose within the family.
Refer to military clashes, battles, or warfare.
The standard term for an armed conflict, dispute, or strife, often used in news and formal contexts. Covers everything from border skirmishes to civil wars.
Conflict continues in that region.
War. Use when the conflict is a full-scale war. More specific than 紛争.
Battle or combat. Refers to the actual fighting, not the overall state of war.
Describe a psychological conflict, such as being torn between choices or feelings.
Inner conflict, mental struggle, or dilemma. Very common in psychological and everyday contexts.
He is torn between work and family.
Being caught between two opposing demands or people. Literally 'caught between boards'. Very idiomatic.
To be emotionally conflicted or wavering. A softer, more emotional expression.
I'm conflicted about which one to choose.
Express that two things cannot happen at the same time or that interests clash.
Used for scheduling conflicts. Literally 'overlap with'. Very common and natural.
The meeting conflicts with another appointment.
Conflict of interest. A direct translation, used in formal or business contexts.
Cannot make it (due to a scheduling conflict). A very common, natural way to decline because of a conflict.
I have a conflict that day. (lit. I can't make it that day.)
Express that ideas, statements, or rules are inconsistent or contradictory.
Contradiction. The standard word for logical inconsistency or conflicting statements.
There is a conflict (contradiction) in his explanation.
To be at odds, to differ, to be inconsistent. Used when facts or opinions don't match.
対立 (opposition) is the most general and can be used for abstract conflicts of ideas. 衝突 (clash) implies a more direct, often sudden confrontation. 紛争 (dispute/strife) is the standard term for armed conflicts or serious, prolonged disputes, often used in news.
Conflicts of opinion are common.
They clashed violently.
The Middle East conflict has been going on for years.
The loanword コンフリクト exists but is mainly used in academic or technical contexts (e.g., psychology, sociology). In everyday Japanese, it's better to use the native terms above.
The schedule conflicts with another meeting.
She is experiencing inner conflict.
Armed conflict broke out in the region.
二つの国は戦争状態にある。
The two countries are in a state of war.
Armed clash. Emphasizes the physical fighting aspect. Often used for specific incidents.
An armed conflict broke out at the border.
激しい戦闘が行われた。
Fierce fighting took place.
I'm caught in a conflict between my boss and my subordinates.
The deal could cause a conflict of interest.
The two testimonies conflict.