Translation guide
How to express the idea of intentionally starting a conflict or argument in Japanese, from verbal provocation to physical confrontation.
To deliberately say something to make someone angry or start a quarrel.
To initiate a physical altercation, such as throwing the first punch.
Literally 'to set up a fight', this means to initiate a physical fight. It implies a more direct, physical provocation than 喧嘩を売る.
相手が先に喧嘩を仕掛けてきた。
The other guy picked a fight first.
To challenge or dare someone to fight, often in a confrontational manner.
A general term for 'provoke'. It can be used for picking a fight, but also for inciting any kind of reaction. More formal than 喧嘩を売る.
彼は相手を挑発して喧嘩を始めさせた。
He provoked the other person into starting a fight.
喧嘩を売る (kenka o uru) is more about verbal provocation or 'asking for a fight', while 喧嘩を仕掛ける (kenka o shikakeru) implies actually initiating physical violence. 喧嘩を売る can lead to a fight, but it's the provocation itself.
彼は喧嘩を売ったが、相手は乗ってこなかった。
He tried to pick a fight, but the other guy didn't take the bait.
彼は喧嘩を仕掛けたが、すぐに倒された。
He started a fight but was quickly knocked down.
Literally 'to sell a fight', this is the most common and natural way to say 'pick a fight' in Japanese. It implies actively provoking someone.
彼はいつも喧嘩を売ってくる。
He's always trying to pick a fight with me.
酔っ払って喧嘩を売るのはやめなよ。
Stop picking fights when you're drunk.
Means to pick a quarrel by making a false accusation or finding fault. More about starting an argument over something trivial or unjustified.
彼は私に言いがかりをつけてきた。
He tried to pick a fight with me over nothing.
Similar to 言いがかりをつける, but often used in contexts like gangsters or tough guys looking for a pretext to fight. Has a rougher, more threatening nuance.
あの連中は因縁をつけて金を巻き上げようとした。
Those guys tried to pick a fight to extort money.
He deliberately bumped into me to try to start a fight.
Literally 'to put out one's hand', this is a common way to say 'to start a fight' or 'to get physical'. Often used in the negative to warn against fighting.
先に手を出したのはあいつだ。
He's the one who started the fight.
手を出すな！
Don't start a fight! / Keep your hands to yourself!
A colloquial phrase meaning to pick a fight or start a quarrel. It has a slightly rough, streetwise feel.
あいつはすぐにけんかをふっかける。
That guy is always picking fights.
Do not translate 'pick a fight' literally as 喧嘩を選ぶ (kenka o erabu) or 喧嘩を拾う (kenka o hirou). These are not natural Japanese and will not be understood. Use the phrases above.
Do not translate 'pick a fight' literally as 喧嘩を選ぶ (kenka o erabu) or 喧嘩を拾う (kenka o hirou). These are not natural Japanese and will not be understood. Use the phrases above.