吵架

• Pinyin: chǎo jià
• Hanzi breakdown: 吵 = 口 (mouth) + 少 (phonetic), meaning noisy; 架 = 加 (add) + 木 (wood), originally meaning frame, extended to a bout of fighting

Meaning

To quarrel; to argue; to have a fight. A verbal conflict between two or more people.

Specifically refers to verbal arguments, not physical fights (which would be 打架). Can describe arguments between friends, family, couples, or strangers. Often used in the pattern 跟...吵架 (to argue with someone) or 为...吵架 (to argue about something).

Examples

1. 他们因为一件小事吵架了。 They had a quarrel over a small matter.
2. 爸爸妈妈很少吵架，感情很好。 Mum and Dad rarely argue — they have a great relationship.
3. 好朋友之间也会偶尔吵架。 Even good friends occasionally have disagreements.

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, family, everyday

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 他们吵架了，现在都不说话。(They had a fight and now neither of them is talking.)
• 不要为了这种小事吵架。(Don't argue over such trivial matters.)

Don't Say

• 我跟他吵了一个架 (Don't add 一个 before 架 — the correct structure is 吵了一架 using 一 as a verbal measure word)

Origin & History

Compound of 吵 (noisy, to quarrel) and 架 (frame, here used as a verbal complement meaning a bout or fight), together meaning to have a quarrel.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal