by Devon McNeely
Terminology, Definitions, and Translations you will need to learn as you study the art of Judo.
While training you may come across a Japanese word you do not understand or you may want to learn the name of a specific technique.
Below you will find many of the common terms used in a Judo class. First, we will look at the English words for techniques, throws, commands, and other words you may wish to know. After that is a section of Japanese words you may hear in the Dojo (School). the Japanese terms are listed alphabetically to help you easily find the translation to a word you don’t understand.
The amount of Japanese you will be required to know will vary from one judo class to the next. Some instructors will count in Japanese but conduct the rest of the class entirely in English. Other instructors may require you to learn the Japanese name for each individual technique.
Talk to your instructor to find out what will be required of you and always remember that it never hurts to learn more than needed.
Click here to Jump to the section you need
English: Judo Basics – Numbers – In Class – Parts of the Body – Techniques – Directions – Tournaments
Japanese: A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – J – K – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W – X – Y – Z
English to Japanese
Theses are grouped by section for easier reference.
Judo Basics
Founder of Judo – Jigoro Kano
Maximum Efficiency with Minimal Effort – Seiryoku Zenyo
(First Principal of Judo)
Mutual Benefit and Welfare – Jita Kyoei
(Second Principal of Judo)
Training Place / School – Dojo
Person who Studies Judo – Judoka
Teacher – Sensei
Higher-Ranked Student – Sempai
Lower-Ranked Student – Kohai
Black-Belt Rank – ‘-Dan’
(Suffix)
Black Belt Judoka – Yudansha
Colored-Belt Rank – ‘-Kyu’
(Suffix)
White Belt Judoka – Mudansha
Numbers
One (1) – Ichi
Two (2) – Ni
Three (3) – San
Four (4) – Shi
Five (5) – Go
Six (6) – Roku
Seven (7) – Nana
Eight (8) – Hachi
Nine (9) – Kyu
Ten (10) – Juu
In Class
Front Wall of Dojo / Place of Honor – Joseki / Shomen
Mat – Tatami
Judo Uniform – Judogi
Judo Jacket – Uuwagi
Judo Pants – Zubon
Belt – Obi
Lapel (of Jacket) – Eri
Kneeling – Seiza
Attention – Kiotsuke
Bow – Rei
Standing Bow – Ritsurei
Kneeling Bow – Zarei
Begin – Hajime
Stop – Matte
Finished / Time is Up – Sore Made
Performing a Technique – Tori Judoka
Receiving a Technique – Uke Judoka
Fall – Ukemi
Forward Rolling Fall – Zempo Kaiten Ukemi
Please (Work with Me) – Onegai Shimasu
Please (Do Something) – Kudasai
Thanks (For the Practice) – Domo Arigato
Thank You (More Polite) – Arigato Gozaimasu
Thank You Very Much (Formal) – Domo Arigato Gozaimasu
Sorry – Gomen Nasai
Parts of the Body
Body – Tai
Hand – Te
Foot – Ashi
Hip – Koshi / Goshi
Shoulder – Kata
Forearm – Ude
Wrist – Kote
Knee – Hiza
Thigh – Momo
Ankle – Ashikubi
Heel – Kibisu
Chest – Mune
Head – Atama
Neck – Kubi
Chin – Ago
Techniques
Technique – Waza
Standing Technique – Tachi-Waza
Holding Technique – Katame-Waza
Ground Technique – Ne-Waza
Throwing Technique – Nage-Waza
Pinning Technique – Osaekomi-Waza
Choking Technique – Shime-Waza
Joint Lock Technique – Kansetsu-Waza
Favorite Technique – Tokui-Waza
Practice – Renshu
Fitting in Practice – Uchikomi
Trading Techniques – Keiko
Free Practice – Randori
Form Practice – Kata
Awareness – Zanshin
Posture – Kamae
Engagement Distance – Maai
Spirit / Vital Energy – Ki
Spirit Shout / Yell – Kiai
Body Movement – Tai Sabaki
Unbalancing – Kuzushi
Fitting In – Tsukuri
Completion – Kake
Gripping – Kumi Kata
Similar Grip – Ai-Yotsu
(Right to Right or Left to Left)
Opposing Grip – Kenka-Yotsu
(Left to Right or Right to Left)
Lifting Hand – Tsurite
(Sometimes Called the Power Hand)
Pulling Hand – Hikite
Lifting / Pulling Action – Tsuri-Komi
Turning – Mawari
Drop – Otoshi
Reversal – Gaeshi / Kaeshi
Counter – Sukashi
Sacrifice – Sutemi
Combination – Renraku
Hold / Holding Technique – Gatame / Katame
Natural Posture – Shizentai
Defensive Posture – Jigotai
Walking on the Balls of the Feet – Suriashi
Alternate Steps – Ayumi-Ashi
Trailing Foot Steps – Tsugi-Ashi
Modified (Position) – Kuzure
Small – ‘Ko-‘
(Prefix)
Big – ‘O-‘
(Prefix)
Sweep / Reap – Gari
Four Corners – Shiho
Shrimp – Ebi
(A Form of Escape in Newaza)
Directions
Left – Hidari
Right – Migi
Upper – Kami
Front – Mae
Back – Ushiro
Side – Yoko
Outside – Soto
Inside – Uchi
Upside-Down – Ura
Tournaments
Competition – Shiai
Full Point (Victory) – Ippon
Half Point – Wazaari
Minor Score – Yuko
Minor Penalty – Shido
Major Penalty – Hansoku-Make
(Disqualification)
Pin – Osaekomi
Pin is Broken – Toketa
Freeze / Do Not Move – Sonomama
Tie – Hikiwake
Decision – Hantei
Continue – Yoshi
“I Give Up” – Maitta
(Submission)
Victory by Ippon – Ippon Gachi
Victory by Judges’ Decision – Yusei Gachi
Victory by Withdrawal / Injury – Kiken Gachi
Compound Victory by Points Plus Penalties – Sogo Gachi
Japanese to English
These are alphabetical for ease of reference.
(A)
Ai-yotsu
Same grip used by both Judoka, either both right or both left.
Ashi
Foot or leg
Ashi Waza
Foot techniques
Atemi Waza
Striking techniques
Ayumi Ashi
Ordinary pattern of walking
(B)
Batsugun
Instant promotion
Budo
Martial ways
Bujutsu
Martial arts
Bushido
Way of the warrior
(C)
Chui
Penalty (no longer used)
(D)
Dan
Black belt rank
Debana
Instant of opportunity to break balance as opponent initiates a motion
Dojo
School or training hall for studying the way
(E)
Eri
Collar, lapel
(F)
Fudoshin
Immovable spirit
Fusegi
Escapes
Fusen Gachi
Win by default
(G)
Go no Sen
Reactive initiative, attacking in response to an attack
Goshin Jutsu
Art of self defense
(H)
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
Hara
Stomach
Hidari
Left
Hiji
Elbow
Hikite
Pulling hand, usually the hand gripping a sleeve
Hiki-wake
No decision–tie or draw
Hikite
Pulling hand — usually the hand gripping a sleeve
Hiza
Knee
(I)
Ippon
Victory in one move, one point
(J)
Jigoro Kano
Founder of judo
Jigotai
Defensive posture
Jikan
Referee call to stop the clock
Juji Jime
Cross Strangle
Jita Kyoei
Principle of mutual prosperity
Joseki
Place of honor, upper seat
Judo
Gentle or flexible way
Judo Ichidai
A Judo life / Spending one’s life in the diligent pursuit of Judo
Judogi
Judo practice uniform
Judoka
One who studies Judo
Ju no Kata
Forms of gentleness
Ju no Ri
Principle of flexibility or yielding
Jujutsu
Gentle art
(K)
Kaeshi Waza
Counter techniques
Kake
Completion or execution of technique
Kansetsu Waza
Joint locking techniques
Kappo
Resuscitation techniques
Kata
Forms or Shoulder (depending on the context)
Katame no kata
Forms of grappling
Katsu
Resuscitation
Keikoku
Penalty (no longer used)
Kenka Yotsu
Opposite grips used by each person, one right/one left
Kiai
To gather spirit with a shout
Kime no Kata
Forms of decision
Kinshi Waza
Techniques prohibited in competition
Ki o tsuke
Attention
Kodansha
High ranking judoka — 5th dan and above
Kodokan
Judo institute in Tokyo where Judo was founded
Kogeki Seyo
Order for judoka to attack
Koka
Score less than a yuko
Koshi
Hip
Koshi Waza
Hip techniques
Kubi
Neck
Kumikata
Gripping methods
Kuzure
Modified hold
Kuzushi
Unbalancing the opponent
Kyoshi
Instructor
Kyu
Student rank
(M)
Maai
Space or engagement distance
Mae
Forward, front
Mae Sabaki
Frontal escape
Mae Ukemi
Falling forward
Masutemi Waza
Back sacrifice throws
Matte
Stop (wait)
Migi
Right
Mudansha
Students below black belt rank
Mune
Chest
(N)
Nage
Throw
Nage no Kata
Forms of throwing
Nagekomi
Repetitive throwing practice
Nage Waza
Throwing techniques
Ne Waza
Techniques on the ground
(O)
Obi
Judo belt
Okuden
Secret teachings
Osaekomi
Pin, referee call to begin timing
Osaekomi Waza
Pinning techniques
Osaekomi Toketa
Escape, stop timing of hold
(R)
Randori
Free practice
Randori no Kata
Forms of free practice techniques
Randori Waza
Techniques for free practice
Rei
Bow
Reiho
Forms of respect, manners, etiquette
Renraku Waza
Combination techniques
Ritsurei
Standing bow
(S)
Seika Tanden
A point in the abdomen that is the center of gravity
Seiryoku Zenyo
Principle of maximum efficiency
Seiza
Formal kneeling posture
Sen
Attack initiative
Sensei
Teacher, instructor
Shiai
Contest
Shiaijo
Competition area
Shido
Penalty, equal to koka score
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
Soke
Founder of a martial art or ryu
Sono Mama
Stop action; command to freeze
Sore Made
Finished, time is up
Sute Geiko
Randori throwing practice against a higher level judoka
Sutemi Waza
Sacrifice techniques
(T)
Tachi Waza
Standing techniques
Tai Sabaki
Body control, turning
Tatami
Mat
Te
Hand, arm
Te Waza
Hand techniques
Tekubi
Wrist
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
(U)
Uchikomi
Repeated practice without completion
Ude
Arm
Uke
Person receiving the technique
Ukemi
Breakfall techniques
Ushiro
Backward, rear
Ushiro Sabaki
Back movement control
Ushiro Ukemi
Falling backward
(W)
Waki
Technique
Waza
Technique
Waza Ari
Near ippon or half point
Waza ari Awasete Ippon
Two waza-ari together for ippon
(Y)
Yakusoku Geiko (or renshu)
Pre-arranged free practice
Yoko
Side
Yoko Kaiten Ukemi
Sideways rolling break fall
Yoko Sutemi Waza
Side sacrifice throws
Yoko Ukemi
Falling sideways
Yoshi
Resume action, continue
Yubi
Finger
Yudansha
Person who earned the black belt
Yudanshakai
Black belt association
Yuko
Score less than a waza-ari
Yusei Gachi
Win by judge’s decision
(Z)
Zanshin
Awareness
Zarei
Kneeling salutation
Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi
Forward rolling break fall
Zubon
Pants