打架

• Pinyin: dǎ jià
• Hanzi breakdown: 打 (hit, strike) + 架 (frame, here: fight, quarrel)

Meaning

To fight; to have a physical altercation.

Refers to physical fighting between people, typically informal or unprofessional fighting (as opposed to martial arts or sports). Common among children but frowned upon for adults. Often used with 跟 or 和 to indicate the opponent.

Examples

1. 两个孩子因为抢玩具打架了。 The two kids got into a fight over a toy.
2. 他小时候经常和同学打架，让父母很头疼。 When he was young, he often fought with classmates, which gave his parents a headache.
3. 在公共场所打架是违法的。 Fighting in public places is illegal.

Usage Guide

Context: conflicts, children, violence

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 别打架！(Stop fighting!)
• 他们俩打架了。(The two of them got into a fight.)

Don't Say

• 说'我和他打架'可能暗示你也参与了暴力——如果是被打，说'他打我'更清楚 (Saying 我和他打架 implies you participated — if you were attacked, 他打我 is clearer)

Origin & History

Compound of 打 (to hit, to strike) + 架 (a frame, here meaning a fight or quarrel), meaning to engage in a physical fight.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal