1.
verbal argument; quarrel; verbal fight
an argument conducted through words rather than physical confrontation
兄弟と口喧嘩した。
I had a verbal fight with my sibling.
些細なことで口喧嘩になった。
We got into an argument over something trivial.
口喧嘩では絶対に負けない自信がある。
I'm confident I never lose a verbal argument.
COMPOUND:
口 (mouth) + 喧嘩 (fight, quarrel)
NUANCE:
口喧嘩 specifically emphasizes that the fight is verbal, not physical. Plain 喧嘩 can refer to either.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 口喧嘩する - to have a verbal argument
- 口喧嘩になる - to turn into an argument
- 口喧嘩が強い - to be good at arguing
RELATED:
- 言い争い - dispute, argument
- 論争 - debate, controversy (more formal)
- 罵り合い - exchange of insults