喧嘩をやめて
kenka o yamete
To say "stop fighting" in Japanese, use 喧嘩をやめて (kenka o yamete).
This phrase is used as a request or a command for people to end a physical or verbal argument.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 喧嘩をやめて is an informal request or command, suitable for friends, family or children. For a more polite request, you can use 喧嘩をやめてください. Other forms such as 戦うのをやめてよ or ケンカするのやめてくれ are also informal, while 戦闘をやめてください and お互いに戦わないでください are formal.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify the tone of the request by changing the ending.
How do you pronounce it?
kenka o yamete
Did you know?
- There is a specific Japanese concept called 喧嘩売り ('kenka-uri'), which literally translates to 'selling a fight'. This is used to describe someone who is actively looking for a confrontation.
- The phrase 喧嘩 is used in the expression 喧嘩両成敗 ('kenka ryoseibai'), which means that both parties in a fight are held responsible regardless of who started it.
- If you use the more formal 戦闘をやめてください, you sound like you are addressing soldiers in a war or characters in a video game rather than people arguing in a room.
Examples in context
- お前たち、ケンカするのやめてくれ。You guys, please stop fighting.
- 二人とも、喧嘩をやめて。Futari tomo, kenka o yamete.Both of you, stop fighting.
- お願いだから、喧嘩をやめてください。Onegai dakara, kenka o yamete kudasai.Please, stop fighting.
Example conversation
A brother and sister are arguing in the living room.
- 蓮 Ren蓮：いい加減に喧嘩をやめてよ。Ren: ii kagen ni kenka o yamete yo.Cut it out and stop fighting already.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵：だって、蓮が先に始めたんだもん！Himari: datte, Ren ga saki ni hajimeta ndamon!But Ren started it first!
- 蓮 Ren蓮：僕は何もしてないよ。Ren: boku wa nani mo shite nai yo.I didn't do anything.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵：嘘つき！Himari: usotsuki!Liar!
