Translation guide
The English word 'fighting' can refer to physical combat, verbal arguments, or a determined effort to overcome something. This guide helps learners express these ideas naturally in Japanese, covering common verbs, nouns, and set phrases.
彼女は癌と闘っている。
She is fighting cancer.
頑張って！
Keep fighting! (encouragement)
To engage in physical violence or a battle.
The most common way to say 'to fight' in the sense of a physical altercation or quarrel. Often implies a mutual conflict.
昨日、弟と喧嘩した。
I fought with my younger brother yesterday.
To fight in a more serious, often organized or prolonged conflict, such as a war, battle, or against an enemy. Can also be used metaphorically.
彼は敵と勇敢に戦った。
He fought bravely against the enemy.
Specifically refers to a fistfight or brawl where people are punching each other.
酒場で殴り合いが始まった。
A fistfight broke out at the bar.
To argue or quarrel using words.
A formal or serious verbal dispute. Often used for heated arguments.
彼らは政治について口論した。
They argued about politics.
To make a great effort to overcome a difficulty, illness, or abstract opponent.
To compete in a physical contest like boxing, martial arts, or a video game fight.
To express a determined attitude or to cheer someone on, like 'Keep fighting!'
喧嘩 (けんか) is for personal quarrels or fights, often between individuals and can be physical or verbal. 戦う (たたかう) is for battles, wars, or competitive matches. 闘う (たたかう) is often used for abstract struggles like illness or hardship, though 戦う can also be used in those contexts. The kanji choice can add nuance.
兄弟喧嘩はよくあることだ。
Sibling fights are common.
彼は人生の困難と闘っている。
He is fighting life's difficulties.
When cheering someone on, English speakers might say 'Fight!' or 'Keep fighting!' but in Japanese, the natural expression is usually 頑張って (がんばって) or ファイト (ふぁいと). Using 戦って (たたかって) would sound odd and overly aggressive in most everyday situations.
To argue or dispute verbally, often with a sense of back-and-forth disagreement.
子供たちがおもちゃのことで言い争っていた。
The children were arguing over a toy.
Can also mean a verbal fight or quarrel, not just physical. Very common in casual contexts.
友達と喧嘩して、まだ話していない。
I had a fight with my friend and we still aren't talking.
Used for fighting against abstract things like illness, discrimination, or hardship. Often written with this kanji for metaphorical battles.
彼女は癌と闘っている。
She is fighting cancer.
Same word as physical combat, but also used for struggles. The kanji 戦 is more common for physical or competitive fights, but can be used here too.
彼は恐怖と戦った。
He fought his fear.
To make an effort, to strive. Not a direct translation of 'fight', but often used when 'fighting' means trying hard.
彼は成功するために努力した。
He fought to succeed. (He made great efforts to succeed.)
The standard verb for fighting in a match, tournament, or competitive setting.
彼はチャンピオンと戦う。
He will fight the champion.
To play a match against someone, often used in games and sports. More neutral than 'fight'.
友達とオンラインで対戦した。
I fought my friend online. (played a match)
Literally 'to have a match'. Used when the context is clearly a sports match or bout.
来月、彼と試合をする。
I'm fighting him next month. (I have a match with him next month.)
A loanword from English 'fight', used as an interjection to cheer someone on, like 'Go for it!' or 'You can do it!'
ファイト！あと少しだよ。
Keep fighting! Just a little more.
Fighting spirit, will to fight. A noun used to describe someone's determination.
彼の闘志はすごい。
His fighting spirit is amazing.