やり合あう

や

り

あ

う

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-u), transitive verb

compete with; argue with; quarrel

usually written using kana alone

Describes two or more parties actively engaging in competition, argument, or a heated exchange. Often implies a back-and-forth struggle or dispute.

彼かれらは賞しょうを取とるために激はげしくやり合あった。
They fiercely competed with each other to win the prize.

会かい議ぎで二人ふたりは意い見けんが合あわず、やり合あってしまった。

The two disagreed at the meeting and ended up arguing.

Written forms

やり合あうUsage54%
Standard mixed kanji-kana spelling; usually written in kana.
やりあうUsage44%
Kana-only spelling; the word is usually written in kana, and this is the most common written form.
遣やり合あうUsage2%
Full kanji spelling; less common and may appear formal or literary.
遣やりあう
Mixed kanji-kana variant with あう in kana; rare.

Kanji

合fit, suit, join
遣dispatch, despatch, send

Similar words

競きそう
競う is a more general verb for competing, while やり合う emphasizes a direct, often confrontational exchange.
言いい争あらそう
言い争う specifically means to argue verbally, whereas やり合う can also refer to non-verbal competition or physical quarrels.

Etymology

Compound of やり (continuative form of やる, 'to do') + 合う (あう, 'to do mutually'). The combination yields the meaning of doing something against or with each other, hence 'to compete' or 'to quarrel'.