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.
I got into a fight with my friend yesterday.
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.
Match, game, bout. The standard word for a sports contest.
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.
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.
Those two often fight.
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.
They had an argument about money.
A verbal dispute or quarrel. Emphasizes the exchange of words.
The argument quickly settled down.
Can also mean a verbal fight, especially in casual speech. Context usually makes it clear.
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.
His fight against cancer continues.
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.
It's a fight against myself.
To stand up to, to confront. A verb meaning to face a challenge or opponent.
to fight against difficulties
Battle, combat. Used for military engagements.
Fierce fighting took place.
Battle, fight. Can be used for war, but also metaphorical struggles.
The final battle began.
To fight, to battle. The verb form.
They fought bravely.
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.
Fight! / Go for it!
Can be used for a sports match when emphasizing the struggle aspect, but 試合 is more common.
This is a fight between champions.
The children are fighting.
To fight, to struggle. Used for battles, wars, and metaphorical fights.
He fought to the end.
To exchange blows, to have a fistfight. Specifically physical.
They fought fiercely (with fists).