Squaring up
Idioms, Stage 2chunk 9 of 21Getting on with people
Rough lines in a confrontation: blaming both sides, brushing off, challenging, picking a fight.
- dotchi mo dotchiboth as bad as each otherliterally “either one, either one”
- shitta kotcha nainot my problem, I couldn't care lessliterally “(it's) not a thing I know about”
- nanisama no tsumoriwho do you think you areliterally “taking yourself for Lord What”
- kenka o urupick a fight, provokeliterally “sell a fight”
Mix-ups dotchi mo dotchi (both as bad) vs shitta kotcha nai (not my problem) are both casual put-downs; kenka o uru (pick a fight) vs teki ni mawasu (make an enemy) in Bad blood; keep shitta kotcha nai and nanisama no tsumori casual only.
dotchi mo dotchi
polite dotchi mo dotchi desu
“either one, either one”
both as bad as each other
In English: six of one and half a dozen of the other
The verdict on a quarrel or a couple's fight where neither side is innocent: sore wa dotchi mo dotchi da yo. Also for two equally poor choices. It refuses to take sides, unlike kata o motsu.
sore wa dotchi mo dotchi da yo.
You're both as bad as each other.
それはどっちもどっちだよ。
maa, dotchi mo dotchi desu yo ne.
Well, they're both as bad as each other.
まあ、どっちもどっちですよね。
Written どっちもどっちHeard 4× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitlesLearn alongside shitta kotcha nai, nanisama no tsumori, kenka o uru, teki ni mawasu (Stage 3)Main list dotchi (Stage 3), mo (Stage 2), maa (Stage 3), yo ne (Stage 1)
shitta kotcha nai
“(it's) not a thing I know about”
not my problem, I couldn't care less
In English: I couldn't care less
A rough brush-off when someone's trouble lands on you: sonna no shitta kotcha nai (that's not my problem). Said in anger or bluster, more often by men; the milder version is kankei nai.
Also the retort shitta koto ka! (like I care!), and aimed at the listener: omae no shitta kotcha nai (none of your business). Cold polite form: watashi no shitta koto de wa arimasen. Plain alternative: kankei nai.
sonna no, ore no shitta kotcha nai yo.
That's not my problem.
そんなの、俺の知ったこっちゃないよ。
Written 知ったこっちゃない · しったこっちゃないHeard 124× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitlesLearn alongside dotchi mo dotchi, nanisama no tsumori, kenka o uru, teki ni mawasu (Stage 3)Main list shitteru (Stage 2), sonna (Stage 2)
nanisama no tsumori
polite nanisama no tsumori desu ka
“taking yourself for Lord What”
who do you think you are
In English: who do you think you are
An angry retort to someone acting superior or bossy, said to their face or, more often, behind their back: ano hito, nanisama no tsumori? It's harsh, so keep it for real anger or venting.
Short form: nanisama? / nanisama da yo.
ano hito, ittai nanisama no tsumori?
Who does she think she is?
あの人、いったい何様のつもり？
ano hito, ittai nanisama no tsumori na n deshou ne.
Who does she think she is?
あの人、いったい何様のつもりなんでしょうね。
Written 何様のつもり · なにさまのつもりHeard 110× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitlesLearn alongside dotchi mo dotchi, shitta kotcha nai, kenka o uru, teki ni mawasu (Stage 3)Main list nani (Stage 1), tsumori (Stage 4)
kenka o uru
polite kenka o urimasu
“sell a fight”
pick a fight, provoke
In English: pick a fight
Confronting someone provocative, usually kenka utteru no? (are you looking for a fight?), half-joking among friends, rough with strangers. The other side is kenka o kau (take up the challenge).
Accepting: kenka o kau (sono kenka, katta = you're on).
nani sore, kenka utteru no?
What's that supposed to mean, you looking for a fight?
何それ、喧嘩売ってるの？
sore, kenka utteru n desu ka?
Are you trying to pick a fight with me?
それ、喧嘩売ってるんですか？
Written 喧嘩を売る · けんかをうるHeard 42× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitlesLearn alongside dotchi mo dotchi, shitta kotcha nai, nanisama no tsumori, teki ni mawasu (Stage 3)Main list -teru (Stage 1), no? (Stage 1)