取(と)っ組(く)み合(あ)い

とっくみあい
noun
grappling; scuffle; physical struggle
action
1. grappling; scuffle; physical struggle
A close-range physical fight where people grab and wrestle each other. Can describe anything from a playful tussle between children to a serious altercation between adults.
子供(こども)たちが取(と)っ組(く)み合(あ)いを始(はじ)めた。
The children started wrestling with each other.
口論(こうろん)がエスカレートして取(と)っ組(く)み合(あ)いになった。
The argument escalated into a physical scuffle.
警備員(けいびいん)が駆(か)けつけたときには、二人(ふたり)はまだ取(と)っ組(く)み合(あ)いの最中(さいちゅう)だった。
When the security guard arrived, the two were still in the middle of a scuffle.

取(と)っ組(く)み合(あ)い describes close-range physical fighting — grabbing, wrestling, and struggling. It comes from the verb 取(と)り組(く)む (to grapple with) in its 合(あ)い (mutual action) form.

Usage

Describes close physical contact fighting, distinct from punching (殴(なぐ)り合(あ)い) or kicking. Can range from playful children's roughhousing to serious altercations.

Common collocations

  • 取(と)っ組(く)み合(あ)いになる: to end up in a scuffle
  • 取(と)っ組(く)み合(あ)いの喧嘩(けんか): a wrestling fight
  • 取(と)っ組(く)み合(あ)いを始(はじ)める: to start grappling

Similar words

  • 殴(なぐ)り合(あ)い: fistfight (punching each other)
  • 喧嘩(けんか): fight, quarrel (broader term)
  • もみ合(あ)い: pushing and shoving

Related Words

Related: 喧嘩(けんか) (fight, quarrel)
general
Added 2026.3.18 23:41 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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