取(と)っ組(く)み合(あ)い

とっくみあい
noun
grappling; scuffle; physical struggle
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
general
Added 2026.3.18 23:41 · Revised 2026.3.28 18:17
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