仲(なか)が悪(わる)い

なかがわるい

expression

on bad terms; not getting along

1. on bad terms; not getting along

Describes a relationship where two or more people do not get along well, whether due to conflict, personality clashes, or long-standing friction.

あの二人(ふたり)は仲(なか)が悪(わる)い。

Those two don't get along.

兄弟(きょうだい)なのに子供(こども)の頃(ころ)から仲(なか)が悪(わる)かった。

Even though they're siblings, they haven't gotten along since childhood.

隣(となり)の部署(ぶしょ)とは仲(なか)が悪(わる)くて、会議(かいぎ)のたびに意見(いけん)が対立(たいりつ)する。

We're on bad terms with the neighboring department, and opinions clash at every meeting.

The opposite of 仲(なか)がいい (to be on good terms). 仲(なか) refers to the quality of a relationship between people. This expression is used for any kind of interpersonal friction — between individuals, groups, organizations, or even countries.

Common collocations

仲(なか)が悪(わる)くなる: to become estranged
仲(なか)が悪(わる)そう: they seem to not get along
犬猿(けんえん)の仲(なか): like cats and dogs (lit. dog-monkey relationship)

Usage

Can be used for both temporary conflicts and deep-seated animosity. The degree of the bad relationship depends on context. In formal contexts, 関係(かんけい)が良(よ)くない or 折(お)り合(あ)いが悪(わる)い may be preferred.

Similar words

不仲(ふなか): discord, estrangement — a noun form meaning the same thing, slightly more formal
険悪(けんあく): hostile, strained — describes a more seriously deteriorated atmosphere
仲(なか)がいい: on good terms — the direct antonym

Related Words

Compare: 不仲(ふなか) (discord, estrangement)

Compare: 険悪(けんあく) (hostile, strained)

Related: 仲直(なかなお)り (reconciliation, making up)

Compare: 仲(なか)が良(よ)い (to be on good terms)

general

Added 2026.4.26 22:18 · Revised 2026.10.2 9:20

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