争そう端たん

noun

beginning of a dispute; outbreak of a conflict

Refers to the initial stage or trigger of a quarrel, argument, or conflict. Often used in formal or written contexts.

• 両りょう国こくの争そう端たんは、小ちいさな国こっ境きょう問もん題だいから始はじまった。

  The dispute between the two countries began from a small border issue.