Judo Vocabulary

Below you will find a short vocabulary with the Japanese words you will hear in Judo. I have also included the Kanji for them.

  • Age

      Readings: JOU, SHOU, SHAN, ue, -ue, uwa-, kami, a.geru, -a.geru, a.garu, -a.garu, a.gari, -a.gari, nobo.ru, nobo.ri, nobo.seru, nobo.su, yo.su, aoi, age, i, ka, kaki, kazu, kan, kou, nobori, hotsu
      English tags: above, up
      Nelson: 798
  • Ago

      Readings: SAI, ago, era
      English tags: jaw
      Nelson: 3793
  • Arashi

      Readings: RAN, arashi, zore
      English tags: storm, tempest
      Nelson: 1431
  • Ashi

      Readings: SOKU, ashi, ta.riru, ta.ru, ta.su, a, asu, osu, tarashi
      English tags: leg, foot, be sufficient, counter for pairs of footwear
      Nelson: 4546
  • Ate

      Readings: TOU, a.taru, a.tari, a.teru, a.te, masa.ni, masa.nibeshi, tai
      English tags: hit, right, appropriate, himself
      Nelson: 1359
  • Basami

      Readings: KYOU, KOU, sema.i, seba.meru, seba.maru, sa, haza
      English tags: cramped, narrow, contract, tight
      Nelson: 2882
  • Choku

      Readings: CHOKU, JIKI, JIKA, tada.chini, nao.su, -nao.su, nao.ru, nao.ki, su.gu, sugu, nao, nou, noo
      English tags: straightaway, honesty, frankness, fix, repair
      Nelson: 775
  • Dai

      Readings: DAI, TAI, oo-, oo.kii, -oo.ini, ufu, o, ou, ta, takashi, tomo, hajime, hiro, hiroshi, masa, masaru, moto, wa
      English tags: large, big
      Nelson: 1171
  • Daki

      Readings: HOU, da.ku, ida.ku, kaka.eru, taba
      English tags: embrace, hug, hold in arms
      Nelson: 1883
  • Dan

      Readings: DAN, TAN
      English tags: grade, steps, stairs
      Nelson: 2452
  • Daore

      Readings: TOU, tao.reru, -dao.re, tao.su
      English tags: overthrow, fall, collapse, drop, break down
      Nelson: 487
  • Daoshi, see Daore
  • Dashi

      Readings: SHUTSU, SUI, de.ru, -de, da.su, -da.su, i.deru, i.dasu, izu, idzu, ide, ji, sutsu, ten
      English tags: advanced, forward, exit, leave
      Nelson: 97
  • De, see dashi
  • Do

      Readings: DOU, TOU, michi, sa, ji, do, mitsu
      English tags: road-way, street, district, journey, course, moral, teachings
      Nelson: 4724
  • Do

      Readings: DOU
      English tags: trunk, torso, hull (ship), hub of wheel
      Nelson: 3767
  • Dori

      Readings: SHU, to.ru, to.ri, to.ri-, tori, -do.ri, doru
      English tags: take, fetch, take up
      Nelson: 3699
  • Dori

      Readings: HO, to.raeru, to.rawareru, to.ru, tora.eru, tora.wareru, tsuka.maeru, tsuka.maru
      English tags: catch, capture
      Nelson: 1919
  • Eri

      Readings: KIN, eri
      English tags: collar, neck, lapel
      Nelson: 4267
  • Furi

      Readings: SHIN, fu.ru, bu.ru, fu.ri, -bu.ri, fu.ruu, furi
      English tags: shake, wave, wag, swing
      Nelson: 1920
  • Gaeshi

      Readings: HEN, kae.su, -kae.su, kae.ru, -kae.ru
      English tags: return, answer, fade, repay
      Nelson: 4670
  • Gamae

      Readings: KOU, kama.eru, kama.u, tochi
      English tags: posture, build, pretend
      Nelson: 2343
  • Gan

      Readings: GAN, kao
      English tags: face, expression
      Nelson: 5139
  • Gake

      Readings: KAI, KEI, ka.keru, -ka.keru, ka.ke, -ka.ke, -ga.ke, ka.karu, -ka.karu, -ga.karu, ka.kari, -ga.kari, kakari, -gakari, kake
      English tags: hang, suspend, be caught, be trapped, depend, arrive at, tax, pour, hook
      Nelson: 1952

      Note: Kake is also used when you refer to kuzushi, tsukuri and kake.
  • Garami

      Readings: KAN, kan.suru, to.jiru
      English tags: shut, seal
      Nelson: 3577
  • Gari

      Readings: GAI, KAI, ka.ru, kari
      English tags: reap, cut, clip, trim, prune
      Nelson: 666
  • Gatame

      Readings: KO, kata.meru, kata.maru, kata.mari, kata.i
      English tags: harden, set, clot, curdle
      Nelson: 1036
  • Geri

      Readings: SHUKU, SHUU, ke.ru
      English tags: kick
      Nelson: 4589
  • Go

      Readings: GO, mamo.ru, mori
      English tags: safeguard, protect
      Nelson: 4447
  • Goshi

      Readings: YOU, koshi, usugu
      English tags: loins, hips, waist, low wainscoting
      Nelson: 3799
  • Goshin

      Readings: Goshin is constructed by two words go and shin.
      English tags: self-protection
      Nelson: 4447 together with 4601
  • Guruma

      Readings: SHA, kuruma, kura, kuroma
      English tags: wheel, car
      Nelson: 4608
  • Gyaku

      Readings: GYAKU, GEKI, saka, saka.sa, saka.rau
      English tags: inverted, reverse, opposite, wicked
      Nelson: 4685
  • Ha

      Readings: U, ha, wa, hane, shuu, ba
      English tags: feathers
      Nelson: 3673
  • Hadaka

      Readings: RA, hadaka
      English tags: naked, nude, uncovered, partially clothed
      Nelson: 4248
  • Hai

      Readings: HAI, se, sei, somu.ku, somu.keru
      English tags: stature, height, back, behind, disobey, defy, go back on, rebel
      Nelson: 3754
  • Hane

      Readings: CHOU, ha.neru, to.bu, -to.bi
      English tags: hop, leap up, spring, jerk, prance, buck, splash, sputter, snap
      Nelson: 4562
  • Hara

      Readings: FUKU, hara
      English tags: abdomen, belly, stomach
      Nelson: 3800
  • Harai

      Readings: FUTSU, HITSU, HOTSU, hara.u, -hara.i, -bara.i, harai
      English tags: sweep, pay, clear out, prune, banish, dispose of
      Nelson: 1828
  • Hi

      Readings: HI, sa.keru, yo.keru
      English tags: evade, avoid, avert, ward off, shirk, shun
      Nelson: 4749
  • Hidari

      Readings: SA, SHA, hidari, so
      English tags: left
      Nelson: 1455
  • Hiki

      Readings: EI, hi.ku, hiki, biki
      English tags: pull, tug, jerk, admit, install, quote, refer to
      Nelson: 100
  • Hiki

      Readings: IN, hi.ku, hi.ki, hi.ki-, -bi.ki, hi.keru, ina, hiki, hike, biki
      English tags: pull, tug, jerk, admit, install, quote, refer to
      Nelson: 1562
  • Hishigi

      Readings: ZA, SA, kuji.ku, kuji.keru
      English tags: crush, break, sprain, discourage
      Nelson: 1913
  • Hiza

      Readings: SHITSU, hiza
      English tags: knee, lap
      Nelson: 3814
  • Ho

      Readings: HOU, kata, -kata, -gata, kara, na, nata, fusa, masa, michi, mo, wa
      English tags: direction, person, alternative
      Nelson: 2082
  • Iri

      Readings: NYUU, i.ru, -i.ru, -i.ri, i.reru, -i.re, hai.ru, iri, iru, ni, no, riri
      English tags: enter, insert
      Nelson: 574
  • Iri

      Readings: GAN, iwa
      English tags: boulder, rock, cliff
      Nelson: 1414
  • Ji

      Readings: JI, aza, azana, -na
      English tags: character, letter, word, section of village
      Nelson: 1281
  • Jime

      Readings: KOU, shibo.ru, shi.meru, shi.maru
      English tags: strangle, constrict, wring
      Nelson: 3535
  • Jo

      Readings: JOU, CHOU, ba
      English tags: location, place (used together with do to form dojo)
      Nelson: 1113
  • Ju

      Readings: JUU, too, to, i, ka, gi, sa, shi, so, sou, chi, tou, ne, ma, ru, wa
      English tags: ten
      Nelson: 768
  • Ju

      Readings: JUU, NYUU, yawa.raka, yawa.rakai, yawa, yawa.ra, too
      English tags: tender, weakness, gentleness, softness
      Nelson: 3166
  • Juji

      Readings: Juji is constructed by two words ju and ji.
      English tags: cross, cross shape
      Nelson: 768 together with 1281
  • Jutsu

      Readings: JUTSU, sube
      English tags: art, technique, skill, means, trick, resources, magic
      Nelson: 1621
  • Kaeshi, see gaeshi
  • Kakae

      Readings: HOU, da.ku, ida.ku, kaka.eru, taba
      English tags: embrace, hug, hold in arms
      Nelson: 1883
  • Kake, see gake
  • Kaku

      Readings: KAKU, kado, tsuno, i, su, sumi, zumi, fusa
      English tags: angle, corner, square
      Nelson: 4301
  • Kami, see age
  • Kani

      Readings: KAI, kani
      English tags: crab
      Nelson: 4195
  • Kata

      Readings: HEN, kata-, kata
      English tags: one-sided, leaf, sheet
      Nelson: 2842
  • Kata

      Readings: KEN, kata
      English tags: shoulder
      Nelson: 1820
  • Katame, see gatame
  • Kawazu

      Readings: A, WA, kaeru, kawazu
      English tags: frog
      Nelson: 4137
  • Ke

      Readings: SHUKU, SHUU, ke.ru
      English tags: kick
      Nelson: 4589
  • Ke

      Readings: KE, KA
      English tags: a coarse camlet (used together with sa to form kesa)
      Nelson: 4222
  • Kesa

      Readings: Kesa is constructed by two words ke and sa.
      English tags: (buddhist priest's) stole
      Nelson: 4222 together with 4237
  • Ki

      Readings: BOKU, MOKU, ki, ko-, gu, mo, moto
      English tags: tree, wood
      Nelson: 2170
  • Kibisu

      Readings: SHOU, kakato, kubi.su, kibi.su, tsu.gu
      English tags: heel
      Nelson: 4573
  • Kime

      Readings: KYOKU, GOKU, kiwa.meru, kiwa.maru, kiwa.mari, kiwa.mi, ki.meru, -gi.me, ki.maru
      English tags: poles, settlement, conclusion, end, highest rank, electric poles, very, extremely, most, highly, 10**48
      Nelson: 2305
  • Kiri

      Readings: SETSU, SAI, ki.ru, -ki.ru, ki.ri, -ki.ri, -gi.ri, ki.reru, -ki.reru, ki.re, -ki.re, -gi.re, kitsu, kiri, giri
      English tags: cut, cutoff, be sharp
      Nelson: 667
  • Ko

      Readings: SHOU, chii.sai, ko-, o-, sa-, isara, kou, saza, shao, chiisa
      English tags: little, small
      Nelson: 1355
  • Ko

      Readings: JU, ki, itsuki, ue, ko, shige, ji, tachiki, tatsu, tatsuru, na
      English tags: timber trees, wood
      Nelson: 2377
  • Komi

      Readings: -ko.mu, ko.mu, ko.mi, -ko.mi, ko.meru, komi, gome
      English tags: pull, crowded, mixture, in bulk, included
      Nelson: 4660
  • Koshi, see goshi
  • Kuchi

      Readings: KYUU, ku.chiru, kutsu
      English tags: decay, rot, remain in seclusion
      Nelson: 2175
  • Kudaki

      Readings: SAI, kuda.ku, kuda.keru
      English tags: smash, break, crush, familiar, popular
      Nelson: 3179
  • Kuruma, see guruma
  • Kuzure

      Readings: HOU, kuzu.reru, -kuzu.re, kuzu.su
      English tags: crumble, die, demolish, level
      Nelson: 1430
  • Kuzushi, see Kuzure
  • Kyu

      Readings: KYUU, shina
      English tags: class, rank, grade
      Nelson: 3496
  • Mae

      Readings: ZEN, mae, -mae, saki, sato, mai
      English tags: in front, before
      Nelson: 595
  • Maki

      Readings: KAN, KEN, ma.ku, maki, ma.ki
      English tags: scroll, volume, book, part, roll up, wind up, tie, coil, counter for texts (on book scrolls)
      Nelson: 1466
  • Mata

      Readings: KO, mata, momo
      English tags: thigh, crotch, yarn, strand
      Nelson: 3739
  • Men

      Readings: MEN, BEN, omo, omote, tsura, o, zura, hootsuki, mo
      English tags: mask, face, features, surface
      Nelson: 5087
  • Mi

      Readings: SHIN, mi
      English tags: somebody, person, one's station in life
      Nelson: 4601
  • Mizu

      Readings: SUI, mizu, mizu-, uzu, zumi, tsu, do, mi, misa, mitsu, mina, min
      English tags: water
      Nelson: 2482
  • Moro

      Readings: SOU, futa, tagui, narabu, futatsu, fu
      English tags: pair, set, comparison, counter for pairs
      Nelson: 859
  • Nagare

      Readings: RYUU, RU, naga.reru, naga.re, naga.su, -naga.su, na, nagare, meguru
      English tags: current, a sink, flow, forfeit
      Nelson: 2576
  • Nage

      Readings: TOU, na.geru, -na.ge
      English tags: throw, discard, abandon, launch into, join, invest in, hurl, give up, sell at a loss
      Nelson: 1856
  • Nami

      Readings: HEI, HOU, na.mi, nara.beru, nara.bu, nara.bini, nabi
      English tags: normal, row, and, besides, as well as, line up, rank with, rival, equal
      Nelson: 589
  • Nami

      Readings: HA, nami, hira, mina, minami, wa
      English tags: waves, billows, Poland
      Nelson: 2529
  • Naname

      Readings: SHA, nana.me, hasu
      English tags: diagonal, slanting, oblique
      Nelson: 2074
  • Nuki

      Readings: BATSU, HATSU, HAI, nu.ku, -nu.ku, nu.ki, nu.keru, nu.kasu, nu.karu, nuki
      English tags: slip out, extract, pull out, pilfer, quote, remove, omit
      Nelson: 1854
  • O, see dai
  • Oi

      Readings: FU, ma.keru, ma.kasu, o.u
      English tags: defeat, negative, -, minus, bear, owe, assume a responsibility
      Nelson: 4488
  • Obi

      Readings: TAI, o.biru, obi, tate
      English tags: sash, belt, obi, zone, region
      Nelson: 1474
  • Okuri

      Readings: SOU, oku.ru
      English tags: chase, pursue, escort, send
      Nelson: 4683
  • Omote

      Readings: HYOU, omote, -omote, arawa.su, arawa.reru, ara.wasu
      English tags: surface, above, table, chart, diagram, rectum, appearance, outside, Used in koshiki no Kata it means fundamental or main
      Nelson: 108
  • Ore

      Readings: SETSU, o.ru, ori, o.ri, -o.ri, o.reru, seki
      English tags: fold, break, fracture, bend, yield, submit
      Nelson: 1855
  • Oroshi

      Readings: KA, GE, shita, shimo, moto, sa.geru, sa.garu, kuda.ru, kuda.ri, kuda.su, -kuda.su, kuda.saru, o.rosu, o.riru, saka, shito
      English tags: below, down, descend, give, low, inferior
      Nelson: 9
  • Otoshi

      Readings: RAKU, o.chiru, o.chi, o.tosu, ochi
      English tags: fall, drop, come down
      Nelson: 4003
  • Ryo

      Readings: RYOU, teru, futatsu, moro
      English tags: both, old Japanese coin, counter for vehicles, two
      Nelson: 34
  • Ryoku

      Readings: RYOKU, RIKI, RII, chikara, jikara, tsutomu
      English tags: power, strong, strain, bear up, exert
      Nelson: 715
  • Ryu

      Readings: RYUU, yanagi, nagi, ya, yai, yagi, yana, yanai
      English tags: willow
      Nelson: 2233
  • Sa

      Readings: SA, SHA
      English tags: Buddhist surplice (used together with ke to form kesa)
      Nelson: 4237
  • Saka

      Readings: HAN, saka, ka, za
      English tags: slope, incline, hill
      Nelson: 1061
  • San

      Readings: SAN, ZOU, mi, mi.tsu, mi.tsu, ka, sa, sai, sae, sabu, za, zae, zabu, sou, zo, tada, mitsu, min, mo, ya
      English tags: three
      Nelson: 8
  • Sasae

      Readings: SHI, sasa.eru, tsuka.eru, ka.u, shin'you, juumata
      English tags: branch, support, sustain
      Nelson: 2039
  • Se, see hai
  • Seoi

      Readings: Seoi is constructed by two words se and oi.
      English tags: to carry on back or shoulder
      Nelson: 5044 together with 4488
  • Setsu

      Readings: SETSU, yuki, buki
      English tags: snow
      Nelson: 5044
  • Shi

      Readings: SHI, yo, yo.tsu, yo.tsu, yon, a, tsu, yotsu
      English tags: four
      Nelson: 1025
  • Shikoro

      Readings: TETSU, TEI, shikoro
      English tags: armor neckplates
      Nelson: 4868
  • Shime, see jime
  • Shin, see mi
  • Sho

      Readings: SEI, SHOU, tada.shii, tada.su, masa, masa.ni, oo, kuni, ma, masashi, tadashi
      English tags: correct, justice, righteous, front (together with 'men')
      Nelson: 27
  • Sode

      Readings: SHUU, sode
      English tags: sleeve, wing (building), extension, give cold shoulder
      Nelson: 4224
  • Soto

      Readings: GAI, GE, soto, hoka, hazu.su, hazu.reru, to-, ui, ke, fuka
      English tags: outside
      Nelson: 1168
  • Sukui

      Readings: KIKU, KOKU, kiku.su, musu.bu, suku.u, tanagokoro
      English tags: scoop up water with the hand
      Nelson: 1937
  • Sumi

      Readings: GUU, sumi
      English tags: corner, nook
      Nelson: 5009
  • Suri

      Readings: SHOU, SHUU, ROU, su.ru, hida, suru, zuri
      English tags: rub, fold, print (on cloth)
      Nelson: 1984
  • Tani

      Readings: KOKU, tani, kiwa.maru, gai, gae, gaya, se, tari, tan, ya
      English tags: valley
      Nelson: 4458
  • Tachi

      Readings: RITSU, RYUU, RITTORU, ta.tsu, -ta.tsu, ta.chi-, ta.teru, -ta.teru, ta.te-, tate-, -ta.te, -da.te, -da.teru, tachi, tatsu, date, tsui
      English tags: stand up, together with 'Yu' it gives you 'evening shower'
      Nelson: 3343
  • Tai

      Readings: TAI, TEI, karada, katachi, nari
      English tags: body, substance, object, reality, counter for images
      Nelson: 405
  • Taki

      Readings: ROU, SOU, taki, raki
      English tags: waterfall, rapids, cascade
      Nelson: 2655
  • Taoshi, see Daore
  • Tate

      Readings: JUU, tate
      English tags: vertical, length, height, self-indulgent, wayward
      Nelson: 3597
  • Tawara

      Readings: HYOU, tawara
      English tags: bag, bale, sack, counter for bags
      Nelson: 467
  • Te

      Readings: SHU, ZU, te, te-, -te, ta-
      English tags: hand
      Nelson: 1827
  • Tomoe

      Readings: HA, tomoe, uzumaki, tomo
      English tags: comma-design
      Nelson: 263
  • Tsubame

      Readings: EN, tsubame, tsubakura, tsubakuro
      English tags: swallow (bird)
      Nelson: 4070
  • Tsuki

      Readings: TOTSU, KA, tsu.ku
      English tags: stab, protruding, thrusting, thrust, pierce, prick
      Nelson: 3316
  • Tsukuri

      Readings: SAKU, SA, tsuku.ru, tsuku.ri, -dzuku.ri, kuri, saka, dzukuri, tomo, nao, hagi, masaka
      English tags: make, production, prepare (in judo...prepere oneself and uke for a throw), build
      Nelson: 407
  • Tsuri

      Readings: CHOU, tsu.ru, tsu.ri, tsu.ri-, tsuri
      English tags: angling, fish, catch, allure, ensnare
      Nelson: 4820
  • Uchi

      Readings: NAI, DAI, uchi, ito, tada, chi, nochi
      English tags: inside, within, between, among, house, home
      Nelson: 81
  • Uchi

      Readings: CHUU, naka, uchi, ata.ru, ataru, kanae
      English tags: in, inside, middle, mean, center
      Nelson: 81
  • Uchi

      Readings: DA, DAASU, u.tsu, u.chi-, bu.tsu, uchi
      English tags: strike, hit, knock, pound, dozen
      Nelson: 1829
  • Ude

      Readings: WAN, ude
      English tags: arm, ability, talent
      Nelson: 3786
  • Uki

      Readings: FU, u.ku, u.kareru, u.kabu, mu, u.kaberu, uki
      English tags: floating, float, rise to surface
      Nelson: 2575
  • Ura

      Readings: RI, ura
      English tags: back, amidst, in, reverse, inside, palm, sole, rear, lining, wrong side, used in Koshiki no Kata it means derivative or secondary
      Nelson: 327
  • Ushiro

      Readings: GO, KOU, nochi, ushi.ro, ushiro, ato, oku.reru, koshi, shi, shii, shiri
      English tags: behind, back, later
      Nelson: 1610
  • Utsuri

      Readings: I, utsu.ru, utsu.su
      English tags: shift, move, change, drift, catch (cold, fire), pass into
      Nelson: 3282
  • Wakare

      Readings: BUN, FUN, BU, wa.keru, wa.ke, wa.kareru, wa.karu, wa.katsu, ita, wake
      English tags: part, minute of time, segment, share, degree, one's lot, duty, understand, know, rate, 1%, chances, shaku/10
      Nelson: 578
  • Waki

      Readings: EKI, SEKI, waki
      English tags: armpit, side
      Nelson: 3783
  • Waza

      Readings: GI, waza
      English tags: skill, art, craft, ability, feat, performance, vocation, arts
      Nelson: 1853
  • Yama

      Readings: SAN, SEN, yama, sa, yano, yan
      English tags: mountain
      Nelson: 1407
  • Yoko

      Readings: OU, yoko
      English tags: sideways, side, horizontal, width, woof
      Nelson: 2361
  • Yu

      Readings: SEKI, yuu, yu
      English tags: evening
      Nelson: 1167
  • Yuki, see setsu
  • Yume

      Readings: MU, BOU, yume, yume.miru, kura.i
      English tags: dream, vision, illusion
      Nelson: 4028
  • Zuke

      Readings: FU, tsu.keru, -tsu.keru, -dzu.keru, tsu.ke, tsu.ke-, -tsu.ke, -dzu.ke, -dzuke, tsu.ku, -dzu.ku, tsu.ki, -tsu.ki, -tsuki, -dzu.ki, -dzuki, tsuke
      English tags: giving to, submitting to, adhere, attach, refer to, append
      Nelson: 363
  • Zuki, see tsuki
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    Last modified on January 30, 2002