もめる

も

め

る

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

disagree; clash; have trouble

usually written using kana alone

Describes people or groups having a disagreement, dispute, or friction. Often implies an ongoing or unresolved conflict rather than a single fight.

会かい議ぎで意い見けんがもめて、なかなか決きまらなかった。
Opinions clashed at the meeting, and it took a long time to decide.

相そう続ぞくのことで親しん族ぞくともめている。

I'm having a dispute with my relatives over the inheritance.

Written forms

もめるUsage70%
Standard kana spelling; usually written in kana.
揉もめるUsage21%
Kanji form is recognized but the word is usually written in kana.
モメるUsage9%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling sometimes used for emphasis or in casual writing.

Kanji

揉rub, massage, shampoo

Similar words

喧けん嘩かする
喧嘩する is a more direct, often physical fight or loud argument, while もめる focuses on disagreement, friction, or trouble in a situation.
争あらそう
争う is a broader, more formal verb for competing or contending over something, whereas もめる is more about interpersonal friction and complications.

Etymology

Derived from the verb 揉む (もむ, 'to rub, knead, or chafe'), with the intransitive/potential-like ending 〜える, suggesting a state of being chafed or rubbed the wrong way, leading to friction or disagreement.