Vocabulary

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Learning Resources

Learning Japanese terminology is part of learning judo.

Understanding Judo Commands

A significant number of judo commands and expressions have their origins in Japan. Familiarizing yourself with Japanese judo terminology will enable you to comprehend the instructions given by your judo teacher or coach during practice.

Promotion Requirements

Acquiring proficiency in these terms is essential for successfully advancing through your assessments and achieving promotion to the next belt rank.

Acquiring knowledge of Japanese will enhance your understanding of various aspects of judo, including the names of throws, equipment, groundwork, standing judo terms, competition scores and commands, body parts, as well as the values of judo spirit and courage.

Vocabulary

Gokyo-no-Waza

Osae-waza

Shime-Waza

Kansetsu-Waza

Vocabulary

Ashi – Foot

Ashi Waza – Foot techniques

Batsugun – Instant promotion

Budo – Martial ways

Bushido – Way of the warrior

Fusegi – Escapes

Dan – Black belt rank

Fusen Gachi – Win by default

Goshin Jutsu – Art of self defense

Hajime – Begin

Hando no Kuzushi – Unbalancing by reaction

Hansoku-make – Most serious penalty, disqualification

Hantei – Referee call for judge’s decision

Happo no Kuzushi – Kuzushi in 8 directions

Hidari – Left

Hiji – Elbow

Hikite – Pulling hand/usually the hand gripping a sleeve

Hiki-wake – No decision–tie or draw

Hiza – Knee

Ippon – Victory in one move, one point

Jigotai – Defensive posture

Jikan – Referee call to stop the clock

Joseki – Place of honor, upper seat

Ju no Kata – Forms of gentleness

Ju no Ri – Principle of flexibility or yielding

Judoka – One who studies Judo

Kaeshi Waza – Counter techniques

Kake – Completion or execution of technique

Kansetsu Waza – Joint locking techniques

Kappo – Resuscitation techniques

Kata – Forms

Katame no kata – Forms of grappling

Kiai – To gather spirit with a shout

Kime no Kata – Forms of Self Defense (Combat Forms)

Ki o tsuke – Attention

Kodansha – High ranking judoka — 5th dan and above

Kodokan – Judo institute in Tokyo where Judo was founded

Koshi Waza – Hip techniques

Koshi – Hip

Kubi – Neck

Kumikata – Gripping methods

Kuzure – Modified hold

Kuzushi – Unbalancing the opponent

Kyu – Student rank

Mae Ukemi – Falling forward

Mae – Forward, front

Masutemi Waza – Back sacrifice throws

Mate – Stop (wait)

Migi – Right

Mudansha – Students below black belt rank

Mune – Chest

Nagekomi – Repetitive throwing practice

Nage no Kata – Forms of throwing

Nage Waza – Throwing techniques

Nage – Throw

Ne Waza – Techniques on the ground

Obi – Judo Belt

Osaekomi – Pin, referee call to begin timing

Osaekomi Toketa – Escape, stop timing of hold

Osaewaza – Grappling techniques

Randori Waza – Techniques of free practice

Randori – Free practice

Rei – Bow

Renraku waza – Combination techniques

Ritsurei – Standing bow

Seiryoku Zenyo – Principle of maximum efficiency

Seiza – Formal kneeling posture

Sensei – Teacher, instructor

Shiai jo – Competition area

Shiai – Contest

Shido – Penalty

Shihan – Title for a model teacher or “teacher who sets the standard” (i.e. Kano-shihan)

Shime Waza – Choking techniques

Shinpan – Referee

Shintai – Moving forwards, sideways & backwards

Shisei – Posture

Shizentai – Natural posture

Shomen – Dojo front

Sode – Sleeve

Sono Mama – Stop action; command to freeze

Sute Geiko – Randori throwing practice against a higher level judoka with no resistance

Sutemi Waza – Sacrifice techniques

Sore Made – Finished, time is up

Sono Mama – Stop action; command to freeze

Sutemi Waza – Sacrifice techniques

Tachi Waza – Standing techniques

Tai Sabaki – Body control, turning

Tatami – Mat

Tekubi – Wrist

Te Waza – Hand techniques

Te – Hand, arm

Tokui Waza – Favorite or best technique

Tori – Person performing a technique

Tsugi Ashi – Walking by bringing one foot up to another

Tsukuri – Entry into a technique, positioning

Tsurite – Lifting hand

Uchikomi – Repeated practice without completion

Ude – Arm

Uke – Person receiving the technique

Ukemi – Breakfall techniques

Ushiro Ukemi – Falling backward

Ushiro – Backward, rear

Waki – Armpit

Waza – Technique

Waza ari Awasete Ippon – Two waza-ari together for ippon

Waza Ari – Near ippon or half point

Yoko Kaiten Ukemi – Sideways rolling break fall

Yoko Sutemi Waza – Side sacrifice throws

Yoko Ukemi – Falling sideways

Yoko – Side

Yoshi – Resume action, continue

Yubi – Finger

Yudansha – Person who earned the black belt

Yusei Gachi – Win by judge’s decision

Zarei – Kneeling salutation

Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi – Forward rolling break fall

Zubon – Pants