Judo Terminology

Learn the Japanese terms used in judo. If you wanna learn judo techniques, check out the judo main page and select a technique.

Terminology: Judo Terminology

Japanese / Term | English / Meaning

Tachi waza | Gentle way - flexible way

Jigotai | Defensive posture

Atemi waza | Striking techniques

Tsugi ashi | Ordinary pattern of walking

Shintai | Walking technique where you bring your feet together but don't step over.

Kaeshi waza | Counter techniques

Nage waza | Throwing techniques

Koshi waza | Hip techniques

Ashi waza | Foot techniques

Te waza | Hand techniques

Masutemi waza | Back sacrifice throws

Atemi waza | Striking techniques

Kansetu waza | Joint locking techniques

Kappo | Resusciation techniques

Sutemi waza | Sacrifice techniques

Yoko sutemi waza | Side sacrifice techniques

Osaekomi waza | Pinning techniques

Randori waza | Free practice techniques

Renraku waza | Combination techniques

Shime waza | Choking techniques

Kumikata | Grappling methods

Kuzure | Modified hold

Kinshi waza | Techniques which are practiced in judo, but are forbidden in competitions

Ai yotsu | Same grip used by both judoka, either right or left

Kenka yotsu | Opposite grip used by both athletes. One right and the other left.

Hikite | Pulling hand - usually the hand gripping a sleeve

Kuzushi | Unbalancing the opponent

Hando no Kuzushi | Unbalancing by reaction

Happo no Kuzushi | Kuzushi in all 8 directions

Debana | Breaking the opponents balance when he initiates a move.

Fusegi | Escaping techniques

Mae Sabaki | Frontal escape

Mae ukemi | Falling forward

Yoko ukemi | Falling sideways

Uke | Block. Person who blocks or receives an attack

Ukemi | Breakfall techniques

Zenpo kaiten ukemi | Rolling breakfall - forward

Yoko kaiten ukemi | Rolling breakfall - sideways

Shiaijo | Competition area (..jo like in dojo)

Shinpan | Referee

Ki o tsuke | Attention

Hajime | Begin

Maai | Space (distance between judoka)

Kogeki seyo | Order to attack

Osaekomi toketa | Escape - stop timing of hold

Osaekomi | Referee calls to begin the timing

Jikan | Referee calls to stop the watch

Hantei | Referee calls the judges for a decision

Ippon | Victory with one single technique. (10 points)

Waza ari | Score half an ippon (5 points)

Yuko | Score less than waza - ari (3 points)

Koka | Score less than a yuko (2 points)

Hiki wake | Draw - no decision

Yusei gachi | Win by judges decision

Fusen Gachi | Win by default

Shido | Penalty (equal to koka score)

Keikoku | Penalty (ancient term)

Chui | Penalty (ancient term)

Matte | Stop

Sono mama | Stop current action (freeze)

Sore made | Time over, time up, finished

Hansoku make | Disqualification - most serious penalty in the sport of judo

Judogi | Judo uniform

Sode | Sleeve

Kubi | Neck

Eri | Collar

Kata | Shoulder

Ude | Arm

Hiji | Elbow

Te | Hand

Tekubi | Wrist

Yubi | Finger

Mune | Chest

Hara | Stomach

Seika Tanden | The center of gravity (like dan tian in Chinese) part of the abdomen

Zubon | Pants

Koshi | Hip

Hikite | Knee

Ashi | Foot, leg

Sensei | Instructor / trainer

Kyoshi | Secret teachings

Okuden | The founder of a martial art (Kano Jigoro for judo)

Soke | A person practicing judo

Judoka | Free practice

Randori | Spending a lifetime practicing judo

Judo ichidai | To shout. (gather spirit with a shout)

Kiai | Technique

Waza | Posture

Shisei | Throw

Nage | Repetitive throwing training.

Nagekomi | Forms

Kata | Forms of grappling techniques

Katame no kata | Throwing forms

Nage no kata | Forms of free practice techniques

Randori no kata | Forms of gentleness

Ju no kata | Principle of max. efficiency

Seiryoku | Principle of gentleness

Ju no ri | Gentle art - Judo was developed by Kano Jigora from Jujutsu.

Jujutsu | The judo institute in Tokyo where Kano Jigoro founded judo.

Kodokan | Martial arts

Bujutsu | Martial ways

Budo | Martial

Bu | Way of the warrior

Bushido | Art of self defence

Goshin Jutsu | Principle of mutual prosperty

Jita Kyoei | Place of honor, upper seat

Joseki | Training hall - school

Dojo | Mat

Tatami | Athlete performing a technique

Tori | Execution of a technique

Kake | The best technique somebody can do.

Tokuri waza | Favourite technique.

Rei | Bow

Reiho | Forms of respect and manners

Zarei | Kneeling salutation

Seiza | Kneeling posture (formal)

Obi | Belt (like judo or karate belt)

Kyu | Degrees below the first blackbelt (colored belts) student degrees

Dan | A black belt rank (master rank)

Yudansha | Athlete who earned a black belt (dan / master degree) New dan - athlete

Yudanshakai | Blackbelt association

Kodansha | A high black belt degree in japanese martial arts (5th blackbelt and above)

Mudansha | A judoka without dan (blackbelt) a student degree

Ichi | 1

Ni | 2

San | 3

Shi | 4

Go | 5

Roku | 6

Shichi | 7

Hachi | 8

Ku | 9

Ju | 10

Juichi | 11

Juni | 12

Jusan | 13

Niju | 20

Nijuichi | 21

Sanju | 30

Kujuku | 99

Hyaku | 100

Sen | 1000

Man | 10000

Juman | 100000

Hyakuman | 1000000

Senman | 10000000

Oku | 100000000

Yoko | Side

Hidari | Left

Migi | Right

Mae | Forward

Ushiro | Backward

Ohayo gozaimasu | Good morning

Konnichiwa | Good afternoon

Konbanwa | Good evening

Sayonara | Good bye

O genki desu ka | How are you?

Hai, genki desu | I am fine

Domo arigato gozaimashu | Thank you very much

Do itashi mashite | You are welcome

Misete kudasai | Please show me

Anata wa eigo o hanashimasu ka? | Do you speak english?

Iie, wakarimasen | No, I don't understand

Anata no namae wa? | What is your name?

Watashi no namae ... | My name is ...

Yukkuri hanashi te kudasai | Please speak slowly

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Videos: Judo Terminology

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