Judo vocabulary

BEGINNER STUDY AID
Judo vocabulary
Learn 90 essential terms for following a beginner class. Search in English, Japanese, or by how a term is used, then focus on one category at a time.
Study companion, not instruction
Meanings and examples can vary by dojo. Follow your instructor’s terminology and commands.
Category
Study
Showing 90 of 90 terms
People and roles
5
Judoka
柔道家
A person who practices judo
EXAMPLE
The judoka bow before stepping onto the mat.
PRONUNCIATION
/joo-doh-kah/
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Sensei
先生
Teacher or instructor
EXAMPLE
Listen while the sensei explains the next exercise.
PRONUNCIATION
/sen-say/
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Tori
The person applying a technique
EXAMPLE
Tori enters for the throw while uke receives it.
PRONUNCIATION
/toh-ree/
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Uke
The person receiving a technique
EXAMPLE
Uke stays cooperative and uses safe breakfall skills.
PRONUNCIATION
/oo-keh/
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Shimpan
審判
Referee
EXAMPLE
The shimpan signals the score during a contest.
PRONUNCIATION
/sheem-pahn/
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Etiquette and commands
20
Dojo
道場
Training hall or practice place
EXAMPLE
Bow when entering or leaving the dojo according to local custom.
PRONUNCIATION
/doh-joh/
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Judogi
柔道着
Judo uniform
EXAMPLE
Keep your judogi clean and properly fitted for class.
PRONUNCIATION
/joo-doh-gee/
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Obi
Belt
EXAMPLE
Tie your obi securely before stepping onto the mat.
PRONUNCIATION
/oh-bee/
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Rei
Bow; a sign of respect
EXAMPLE
The class begins and ends with rei.
PRONUNCIATION
/ray/
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Hajime
始め
Begin or start
EXAMPLE
Start the round when you hear hajime.
PRONUNCIATION
/hah-jee-meh/
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Mate
待て
Wait or stop
EXAMPLE
Stop immediately and listen when mate is called.
PRONUNCIATION
/mah-teh/
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Sore-made
それまで
That is all; the end
EXAMPLE
Sore-made tells the competitors that the contest is over.
PRONUNCIATION
/soh-reh mah-deh/
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Randori
乱取
Free practice with a partner
EXAMPLE
Use control and follow your instructor’s goal during randori.
PRONUNCIATION
/rahn-doh-ree/
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Uchi-komi
打込
Repeated technique entries without completion
EXAMPLE
The class practices ten controlled uchi-komi on each side.
PRONUNCIATION
/oo-chee koh-mee/
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Nage-komi
投込
Repeated throwing practice
EXAMPLE
Nage-komi is done only as directed, with a partner and suitable mats.
PRONUNCIATION
/nah-geh koh-mee/
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Ukemi
受身
Breakfall or safe falling practice
EXAMPLE
Beginners practice ukemi before working on throws.
PRONUNCIATION
/oo-keh-mee/
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Seiza
正座
Formal kneeling posture
EXAMPLE
The instructor may ask the class to sit in seiza.
PRONUNCIATION
/say-zah/
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Ritsurei
立礼
Standing bow
EXAMPLE
Partners use ritsurei when bowing from a standing position.
PRONUNCIATION
/reet-soo-ray/
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Zarei
座礼
Kneeling bow
EXAMPLE
Partners use zarei when bowing from a kneeling position.
PRONUNCIATION
/zah-ray/
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Uwagi
上衣
Judogi jacket
EXAMPLE
The uwagi should be clean and properly closed before practice.
PRONUNCIATION
/oo-wah-gee/
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Shitagi
下着
Undergarment worn beneath the judogi
EXAMPLE
Follow the club’s rules for wearing a shitagi beneath the judogi.
PRONUNCIATION
/shee-tah-gee/
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Zori
草履
Sandals worn off the mat
EXAMPLE
Wear zori when walking away from the mat to help keep the training area clean.
PRONUNCIATION
/zoh-ree/
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Sutegeiko
捨稽古
Controlled throwing practice with a receiving partner
EXAMPLE
Practice sutegeiko only when an instructor defines the roles, resistance, and safety expectations.
PRONUNCIATION
/soo-teh-gay-koh/
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Seiryoku-Zenyo
精力善用
Maximum efficient use of physical and mental energy
EXAMPLE
Seiryoku-Zenyo encourages effective action without unnecessary force or waste.
PRONUNCIATION
/say-ryoh-koo zen-yoh/
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Jita-Kyoei
自他共栄
Mutual welfare and benefit
EXAMPLE
Jita-Kyoei asks both partners to improve through safe and cooperative practice.
PRONUNCIATION
/jee-tah kyoh-ay/
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Directions and positions
29
Migi
Right
EXAMPLE
Migi indicates the right-hand or right-side version.
PRONUNCIATION
/mee-gee/
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Hidari
Left
EXAMPLE
Hidari indicates the left-hand or left-side version.
PRONUNCIATION
/hee-dah-ree/
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Mae
Front or forward
EXAMPLE
Mae-ukemi is a forward breakfall.
PRONUNCIATION
/mah-eh/
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Ushiro
Rear or backward
EXAMPLE
Ushiro-ukemi is a backward breakfall.
PRONUNCIATION
/oo-shee-roh/
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Yoko
Side
EXAMPLE
Yoko often identifies a side direction or position.
PRONUNCIATION
/yoh-koh/
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Uchi
Inside or inner
EXAMPLE
In o-uchi-gari, uchi tells you the action is on the inside.
PRONUNCIATION
/oo-chee/
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Soto
Outside or outer
EXAMPLE
In o-soto-gari, soto tells you the action is on the outside.
PRONUNCIATION
/soh-toh/
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O
Major or large
EXAMPLE
In o-goshi, o identifies the major or large form.
PRONUNCIATION
/oh/
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Ko
Minor or small
EXAMPLE
In ko-uchi-gari, ko identifies the minor or small form.
PRONUNCIATION
/koh/
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Hon
Basic or principal form, depending on context
EXAMPLE
Hon can identify the central or basic form of a posture.
PRONUNCIATION
/hohn/
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Zenpo-kaiten
前方回転
Forward rolling movement
EXAMPLE
Zenpo-kaiten describes forward rotation used in rolling movement and breakfall study.
PRONUNCIATION
/zen-poh kie-ten/
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Shisei
姿勢
Posture
EXAMPLE
Maintain balanced shisei while moving with a partner.
PRONUNCIATION
/shee-say/
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Shizentai
自然体
Natural posture
EXAMPLE
Shizentai is a relaxed, balanced natural standing posture.
PRONUNCIATION
/shee-zen-tie/
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Jigotai
自護体
Defensive posture
EXAMPLE
Jigotai uses a lower, wider defensive posture.
PRONUNCIATION
/jee-goh-tie/
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Ayumi-ashi
歩み足
Ordinary alternating walking steps
EXAMPLE
Ayumi-ashi changes position using alternating steps.
PRONUNCIATION
/ah-yoo-mee ah-shee/
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Tsugi-ashi
継ぎ足
Following steps without crossing the feet
EXAMPLE
Tsugi-ashi moves one foot and then brings the other foot after it.
PRONUNCIATION
/tsoo-gee ah-shee/
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Suri-ashi
摺り足
Sliding steps
EXAMPLE
Use suri-ashi to move while keeping the feet close to the mat.
PRONUNCIATION
/soo-ree ah-shee/
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Tai-sabaki
体捌き
Body control, shifting, or turning
EXAMPLE
Tai-sabaki changes body angle while preserving posture and balance.
PRONUNCIATION
/tie sah-bah-kee/
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Mawari-ashi
回り足
Turning footwork around a pivot or arc
EXAMPLE
Mawari-ashi changes direction around a pivot or circular path.
PRONUNCIATION
/mah-wah-ree ah-shee/
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Koshi
Hip or waist
EXAMPLE
Koshi appears in the names of many hip throws.
PRONUNCIATION
/koh-shee/
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Ashi
Foot or leg
EXAMPLE
Ashi appears in names involving a foot or leg action.
PRONUNCIATION
/ah-shee/
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Te
Hand or arm
EXAMPLE
Te appears in the classification te-waza.
PRONUNCIATION
/teh/
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Hiza
Knee
EXAMPLE
Hiza means knee, as in hiza-guruma.
PRONUNCIATION
/hee-zah/
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Nage
Throw
EXAMPLE
Nage appears in names for throwing actions.
PRONUNCIATION
/nah-geh/
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Waza
Technique
EXAMPLE
Waza means technique and appears in many judo classifications.
PRONUNCIATION
/wah-zah/
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Ebi-oyogi
海老泳ぎ
Shrimping or hip-escape movement
EXAMPLE
Ebi-oyogi is a groundwork movement taught progressively by an instructor.
PRONUNCIATION
/eh-bee oh-yoh-gee/
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Kata-nuki
肩抜き
Shoulder-extraction movement
EXAMPLE
Ask an instructor to demonstrate the club’s expected kata-nuki movement.
PRONUNCIATION
/kah-tah noo-kee/
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Fukuga-zenshin
伏臥前進
Forward movement from a prone position
EXAMPLE
Fukuga-zenshin develops controlled forward movement while prone.
PRONUNCIATION
/foo-koo-gah zen-sheen/
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Shizen-hontai
自然本体
Basic natural posture
EXAMPLE
The class begins the movement from shizen-hontai.
PRONUNCIATION
/shee-zen hon-tie/
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Scoring and match terms
11
Ippon
一本
Full score that ends the contest
EXAMPLE
The referee awards ippon and the contest ends.
PRONUNCIATION
/eep-pohn/
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Waza-ari
技あり
Score below ippon
EXAMPLE
Two waza-ari in one contest combine to end the contest.
PRONUNCIATION
/wah-zah ah-ree/
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Yuko
有効
Lowest contest score for a partial technique
EXAMPLE
The referee may award yuko for a partial throw or a short hold-down when current competition rules use this score.
PRONUNCIATION
/yoo-koh/
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Osaekomi
抑込
Hold-down is in effect
EXAMPLE
The referee calls osaekomi when a qualifying pin begins.
PRONUNCIATION
/oh-sah-eh-koh-mee/
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Toketa
解けた
The hold-down has been broken
EXAMPLE
Toketa stops the hold-down time from continuing.
PRONUNCIATION
/toh-keh-tah/
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Shido
指導
Minor penalty
EXAMPLE
The referee may give shido for a rules infringement.
PRONUNCIATION
/shee-doh/
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Hansoku-make
反則負
Disqualification or defeat by serious penalty
EXAMPLE
Hansoku-make can result from a serious infringement or accumulated penalties.
PRONUNCIATION
/hahn-soh-koo mah-keh/
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Waza-ari-awasete-ippon
技あり合わせて一本
Two waza-ari combine to make ippon
EXAMPLE
The referee announces waza-ari-awasete-ippon when the second waza-ari ends the contest.
PRONUNCIATION
/wah-zah ah-ree ah-wah-seh-teh eep-pohn/
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Sono-mama
そのまま
Do not move; hold the current position
EXAMPLE
Competitors freeze without changing position when sono-mama is called.
PRONUNCIATION
/soh-noh mah-mah/
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Yoshi
よし
Resume or continue
EXAMPLE
Continue only when the referee calls yoshi.
PRONUNCIATION
/yoh-shee/
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Hiki-wake
引分
Draw or tied result
EXAMPLE
Hiki-wake may be used in event formats that allow a drawn result.
PRONUNCIATION
/hee-kee wah-keh/
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Phases and technique categories
15
Kuzushi
崩し
Breaking or disturbing balance
EXAMPLE
Look for the direction of kuzushi when studying a throw.
PRONUNCIATION
/koo-zoo-shee/
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Tsukuri
作り
Entry and positioning for a technique
EXAMPLE
Tsukuri places tori in position to apply the action.
PRONUNCIATION
/tsoo-koo-ree/
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Kake
掛け
Application or completion of a technique
EXAMPLE
Kake follows the setup and entry of the throw.
PRONUNCIATION
/kah-keh/
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Tachi-waza
立技
Standing techniques
EXAMPLE
The standing part of class focuses on tachi-waza.
PRONUNCIATION
/tah-chee wah-zah/
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Ne-waza
寝技
Ground techniques or groundwork
EXAMPLE
Pins, strangles, and joint techniques are studied in ne-waza.
PRONUNCIATION
/neh wah-zah/
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Nage-waza
投技
Throwing techniques
EXAMPLE
Nage-waza is the overall family of judo throws.
PRONUNCIATION
/nah-geh wah-zah/
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Katame-waza
固技
Grappling techniques
EXAMPLE
Katame-waza includes holds, strangles, and joint techniques.
PRONUNCIATION
/kah-tah-meh wah-zah/
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Te-waza
手技
Hand throwing techniques
EXAMPLE
Seoi-nage is classified as te-waza.
PRONUNCIATION
/teh wah-zah/
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Koshi-waza
腰技
Hip throwing techniques
EXAMPLE
O-goshi is classified as koshi-waza.
PRONUNCIATION
/koh-shee wah-zah/
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Ashi-waza
足技
Foot and leg throwing techniques
EXAMPLE
O-soto-gari is classified as ashi-waza.
PRONUNCIATION
/ah-shee wah-zah/
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Sutemi-waza
捨身技
Sacrifice throwing techniques
EXAMPLE
Sutemi-waza must be practiced only under qualified supervision.
PRONUNCIATION
/soo-teh-mee wah-zah/
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Kaeshi-waza
返技
Counter techniques
EXAMPLE
Kaeshi-waza responds to and redirects an opponent’s attack.
PRONUNCIATION
/kah-eh-shee wah-zah/
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Kata
Formal prearranged practice
EXAMPLE
Kata preserves principles through precise cooperative practice.
PRONUNCIATION
/kah-tah/
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Nage-no-Kata
投の形
Forms of throwing
EXAMPLE
Nage-no-Kata organizes throwing principles into formal sets.
PRONUNCIATION
/nah-geh noh kah-tah/
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Yudanshakai
有段者会
Regional association of judo clubs and black-belt members
EXAMPLE
A yudanshakai supports clubs through promotion, education, and regional activities.
PRONUNCIATION
/yoo-dahn-shah-kie/
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Numbers used in class
10
Ichi
One
EXAMPLE
The instructor may count ichi for the first repetition.
PRONUNCIATION
/ee-chee/
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Ni
Two
EXAMPLE
Ni is the second count.
PRONUNCIATION
/nee/
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San
Three
EXAMPLE
San is the third count.
PRONUNCIATION
/sahn/
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Yon / Shi
Four
EXAMPLE
Yon is a common reading for four when counting repetitions.
PRONUNCIATION
/yohn / shee/
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Go
Five
EXAMPLE
A short study set may contain go terms.
PRONUNCIATION
/goh/
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Roku
Six
EXAMPLE
Roku is the sixth count.
PRONUNCIATION
/roh-koo/
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Nana / Shichi
Seven
EXAMPLE
Nana is a common reading for seven when counting repetitions.
PRONUNCIATION
/nah-nah / shee-chee/
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Hachi
Eight
EXAMPLE
Hachi is the eighth count.
PRONUNCIATION
/hah-chee/
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Kyu
Nine
EXAMPLE
Kyu is the ninth count.
PRONUNCIATION
/kyoo/
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Ju
Ten
EXAMPLE
Ju completes a set of ten repetitions.
PRONUNCIATION
/joo/
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