How to say "brawl" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

喧嘩けんかJLPT N4approx.Common
noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers the everyday senses of 'brawl' — a quarrel, squabble, or physical fight, typically between two people or a small group. The usual word for falling out and fighting, whether with words or fists.
ケンとけんかしたのか。↗
Did you have a fight with Ken?
乱闘らんとうCommon
noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers the melee sense of 'brawl' — a confused, disorderly fight involving many people, such as a scuffle breaking out in a crowd. Not the word for an ordinary quarrel between two people.
警官けいかん隊たいはデモ隊たいと乱闘らんとうになった。↗
The police brawled with the demonstrators.

Use 喧嘩 for a quarrel or fight between two people or a few individuals, whether verbal or physical, and 乱闘 for a chaotic, disorderly brawl or melee involving a whole crowd of people.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

喧嘩けんかquarrel
乱闘らんとうconfused fight
乱闘騒ぎらんとうさわぎbrawl
シバキ合いしばきあいbrawl
ちゃんちゃんばらばらfight
立ち回るたちまわるto enact a fighting scene

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