(くちげんか)

くちげんか
noun
verbal argument; quarrel
1. verbal argument; quarrel; verbal fight
an argument conducted through words rather than physical confrontation
兄弟(きょうだい)口喧嘩(くちげんか)した。
I had a verbal fight with my sibling.
些細(ささい)なことで口喧嘩(くちげんか)になった。
We got into an argument over something trivial.
口喧嘩(くちげんか)では絶対(ぜったい)()けない自信(じしん)がある。
I'm confident I never lose a verbal argument.

COMPOUND:
(くち) (mouth) + 喧嘩(けんか) (fight, quarrel)

NUANCE:
口喧嘩(くちげんか) specifically emphasizes that the fight is verbal, not physical. Plain 喧嘩(けんか) can refer to either.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 口喧嘩(くちげんか)する - to have a verbal argument
  • 口喧嘩(くちげんか)になる - to turn into an argument
  • 口喧嘩(くちげんか)(つよ)い - to be good at arguing

RELATED:

  • ()(あらそ)い - dispute, argument
  • 論争(ろんそう) - debate, controversy (more formal)
  • (ののし)()い - exchange of insults