JUDO VOCABULARY
In judo, the international language is Japanese. To help you find your way around, here are some vocabulary words that you will hear from your first lesson:
Dojo: Salle d’étude du judo
Ippon: 1 point qui allie force, vitesse et contrôle
Judoka: Pratiquant du judo
Judogi: L’habit du judo
Ne-waza: Technique au sol
Randori: Forme de combat souple
Rei: Salut
Sensei: Le professeur
Tachi-waza: Technique debout
Tatami: Tapis sur lequel se pratique le judo
Tori: Celui qui fait la technique
Uchikomi: Répétition de mouvement
Uke: Celui qui subit la technique
Waza: Technique
Bien sûr, il y en a plus!
A
Anza: Sitting position with legs crossed.
Age: To elevate or to raise.
Ashi: Foot or leg (as in Okuri-ashi-barai).
Ashi-no-yubi: Toes.
Atama: Head.
Atemi: To strike a person.
Ayumi-ashi: A method of footwork in judo.
B
Barai: Sweeping action with the leg or foot (as in De-ashi-barai).
Batsugun: The awarding of a Dan promotion without a formal examination.
Budo: Martial or military way or philosophy.
Butsukari: Repetitive drill for developing skill in throwing.
C
Chiisai: Small.
Chuo: The centre.
D
Dan: Black belt grade.
Do: Way, philosophy, doctrine, reason, principle, virtue.
Dojime: Body scissors/squeeze (illegal in competition).
Dojo: Place or club where Judo is practiced.
Dori: Grab (as in Kata-ashi-dori).
E
Eri: Lapel of the Judo gi (as in Okuri-eri-jime).
F
Fusegi: Defense.
Fusen: Default (as in Fusen-gachi or win by default).
G
Gachi (Kachi): To win, to be victorious.
Gaeshi (Kaeshi): Counter or reversal (as in Sumi-gaeshi).
Gari (Kari): To reap (as in O-soto-gari).
Garami: Entangle or twist (as in Ude-garami).
Gatame: Pin or (joint) lock (as in Kata-gatame or Ude-gatame).
Geta: Traditional wooden shoes worn in Japan.
Gi (Judogi): Judo uniform.
Godan: 5th Degree black belt.
Gokyu: Yellow belt.
Gokyo-no-waza: The five classifications of techniques originally devised by the Kodokan in 1905. This was
the first standardized form of instruction for throwing techniques.
Goshi (Koshi): Hip (as in O-goshi).
Goshin-jutsu: Self-defense kata.
Goshin-ho: Methods of self-defense.
Guruma: Wheel (as in Kata-guruma).
Gyaku: Reverse (as in Gyaku-juji-jime).
H
Ha: Wing (as in Kata-ha-jime).
Hachidan: 8th Degree black belt.
Hadaka: Naked/bared (as in Hadaka-jime).
Haisha: Loser
Hajime: To start (used as a referee’s command in contests).
Hando-no-kuzushi: Reaction forms of unbalancing. This implies how the opponent reacts to the attacker’s
attack.
Hane: Springing action (as in Hane-goshi).
Hansoku-make: Violation of the rules in a contest.
Happo: Eight sides or directions (as in Happo-no-kuzushi or 8 directions of unbalancing developed in
Kodokan judo).
Hara: Stomach (as in Hara-gatame).
Harai (Barai): Sweeping action with the leg or foot (as in Harai-goshi).
Henka-waza: Techniques against opponent attack
Hidari: Left (as in Hidari-jigo-tai or Hidari-shizen-tai).
Hiji: Elbow (as in Hiji-makikomi, Kansetsu-waza).
Hiki-te: pulling hand
Hikiwake: draw
Hikkomi: To draw into (as in Hikkomi-gaeshi).
Hishigi: Crush (as in Ude-hishigi-waki-gatame).
Hiza: Knee (as in Hiza-guruma).
Hon: Basic or fundamental (as in Hon-kesa-gatame).
Hontai: Basic posture.
I
Ichiban: “Number one”, the best.
Ikkyu: Brown belt.
Ippon: Full point.
Itsutsu: Five (as in Itsutsu-no-kata or forms of five).
J
Jigotai: Defensive (lower) posture.
Jiku-ashi: Pivoting leg.
Jime (Shime): Choke or strangle (as in Hadaka-jime).
Jita Kyoei: Mutual benefit and welfare.
Jo-gai: Outside contest area.
Jo-nai: Inside contest area.
Jo-seki: Upper seats.
Ju: The principle of gentleness, yielding, or giving way.
Judan: 10th Degree black belt.
Judo: The gentle way.
Judo-gi: Judo uniform.
Judoka: One who practices judo, a student of judo.
Ju-no-Kata: The forms of “gentleness” or “yielding”.
Juji: To cross (as in Juji-jime).
Junbi-undo: Warming up exercises.
Jutsu (Jitsu): Skill, art, technique.
K
Kaeshi/Gaeshi: Counter (as in Kaeshi-waza).
Kaiten: Rotation.
Kake: To hook, or to attack.
Kami: Upper, above or upper in rank or place (as in Kami-Shiho-gatame).
Kappo: Resuscitation method.
Kata: Single or shoulder or form (as in Kata-juji-jime or Kata-gatame or Nage-no -kata).
Katame/gatame: To secure, make strong or firm, to guard.
Katame-waza: Grappling techniques.
Kami: Upper (as in Kami-Shiho-gatame).
Katame-no-Kata: Forms of grappling.
Katsu: Techniques of Kappo.
Kawazu-gake: Leg entwining, an illegal throwing technique in contest judo.
Keiko/Geiko: Practice.
Ken-ken: A phrase meaning “hop, hop.” (as in Ken-ken Uchi-mata).
Kesa: Scarf (as in Kesa-gatame).
Kiai: Shout during execution of technique, expression of spirit and source of energy.
Kiken-gachi: Win by injury.
Kibisu: Heel (as in Kibisu-gaeshi).
Kime-no-Kata: Forms of decision.
Kinsa: Slight superiority or inferiority.
Kinshi-waza: Prohibited technique.
Ki-o-tsuke: Come to attention.
Ko: Minor (as in Ko-Soto-Gari).
Kodansha: A holder of the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt) or above.
Kodokan: The original judo school established by Professor Jigoro Kano in 1882.
Kohai: A junior member in a dojo.
Kokoro: Mind, spirit, heart and mentality.
Komi: Pull (as in Tsuri-komi-goshi).
Kosen: A variation of the Kodokan judo competitive ruleset. Kosen judo’s rules allow for greater emphasis
of Ne-waza (ground techniques) than typically takes place in competitive judo and it is sometimes
regarded as a distinct style of judo.
Koshi (Goshi): Hip (as in Koshi-guruma).
Koshiki-no-kata: The forms of antiquity.
Koshi/Goshi-waza: Hip trow.
Ko-waza: A minor technique.
Kubi: Neck.
Kudan: 9th Degree black belt.
Kumi-kata: Basic gripping techniques.
Kuzure: Variation (as in Kuzure-kesa-gatame).
Kuzushi: To unbalance or to upset.
Kyu-sho: Vital points.
M
Maai: Distance between two players.
Mae: Front.
Mae-ukemi: Front fall (also called Zenpo-ukemi).
Maita: Phrase meaning “I surrender” and shown by submission or tapping.
Makikomi: To wrap around, winding (as in Soto-makikomi).
Makura: Pillow (as in Makura-kesa-gatame).
Mata: Thigh (as in Uchi-mata).
Mate: Wait.
Migi: Right (as in Migi-jigo-tai or Migi-shizen-tai).
Mondo: Questions and answers.
Morote: Both hands (as in Morote-seoi-nage).
Mudansha: A non-black belt holder.
Mune: Chest (as in Mune-gatame).
N
Nage: To throw or propel.
Nage-no-kata: The forms of throwing.
Nage-komi: Throwing practice.
Nage-waza: Throwing techniques.
Nami: Common, usual (as in Nami-juji-jime).
Ne-waza: Grappling techniques (including Osae-waza (immobilization techniques), Shime-waza
(strangulation techniques), and Kansetsu-waza (armlock techniques).
Nidan: 2nd Degree black belt.
Nihon (Nippon): Japan.
Nikkyu: Blue belt.
O
O: Major (as in O-goshi).
Obi: Judo belt.
Okuri: Sliding (as in Okuri-eri-jime).
Osae: Immobilize, to restrain, keep down (as in Osae-waza).
Osae-Komi: To apply an immobilization (as in Osae-komi-waza).
Otagai-ni-rei: Bow to each other.
Otoshi: To drop (as in Tani-otoshi).
O-waza: Major technique.
R
Randori: Sparring.
Rei: To bow; courtesy.
Rei-ho: Bowing procedure.
Renraku: A series, a combination (as in Ranraku-waza).
Renshu: To drill or practice exercises.
Ritsurei: Standing bow.
Rokkyu: White belt.
Rokudan: 6th Degree black belt.
Ryote: Two-handed (as in Ryote-jime).
S
Sandan: 3rd Degree black belt.
Sankaku: Triangle, 3 angles or corners (as in Sankaku-jime).
Sankyu: Green belt.
Sasae: To block (as in Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi).
Seiryoku Zenyo: Maximum efficiency through minimum effort.
Seiza: Sitting in a formal position.
Sempai: A senior member in a dojo.
Sen: Initiative in applying mental or technical ability to gain advantage over an opponent.
Senshu: Athlete; competitor.
Sensei: Teacher or instructor.
Sensei-ni-rei: Bow to Sensei.
Sen-no-Sen: Superior initiative where one attacks the opponent before he has a chance to attack. Take
the initiative away from the opponent. Anticipate.
Seoi: To carry over the back (as in Seoi-nage).
Shiai: Competition.
Shiai-jo: Competition arena
Shichidan: 7th – Degree black belt.
Shido: Light penalty; instruction.
Shihan: Master teacher.
Shiho: Four corners (as in Yoko-shiho-gatame).
Shime: To squeeze or strangle (as in Shime-waza).
Shimpan: A referee.
Shin: Sincere, truth, faith, real, genuine, mental application of being sincere.
Shin Gi Tai: The coordinated system of shin (sincere mental application), gi (realistic technical application)
and tai (the physical application stressing the importance of physical fitness).
Shisei: Posture.
Shizen-tai: Natural basic posture.
Shodan: 1st Degree black belt.
Shomen: Dojo front.
Shomen-ni-rei: Bow to the front of the dojo.
Shosha: Winner.
Shu-shin: Chief referee.
Sode: Sleeve (as in Sode-tsuri-komi-goshi).
Sono-mama: Do not move.
Sore-made: That is all. A phrase used by referee to signal end of contest.
Soto: Outer or outside (as in Soto-makikomi).
Sukashi: A counter or an evasion against an opponent’s attack (as in Uchi-mata-sukashi).
Sukoshi: A little.
Sukui: To scoop (as in Sukui-nage).
Sumi: Corner (as in Sumi-otoshi).
Sutemi-waza: Sacrifice techniques.
T
Tachi: To stand, standing (as in Tachi-waza).
Tachi-shobu: Standing battle.
Tachi-waza: throwing techniques including Te-waza (hand techniques), Koshi-waza (hip techniques)., Ashi-
waza (leg techniques), and Sutemi-waza (sacrifice techniques).
Tai: Body (as in Tai-otoshi).
Taisabaki: Body management, body movement.
Tandoku-renshu: Solo exercise or practice.
Tani: Valley (as in Tani-otoshi).
Tatami: A judo mat.
Tate: Straddle (as in Tate-shiho-gatame).
Te: Hand (as in Te-guruma).
Te-waza: Hand throw.
Toketa: The referee’s command that a hold is broken or ended.
Tokui: Proficient, favorite or best technique (as in Tokui-waza).
Tomoe: Circle (as in Tomoe-nage).
Tori: The person who performs the technique.
Tsugi-ashi: Follow-foot movement, a form of footwork.
Tsuki: Thrusting (as in Tsuki-komi-jime).
Tsukuri: Set up to execute technique.
Tsuri: Lift (as in Harai-tsuri-komi-ashi).
Tsuri-komi: The act of lifting and pulling into the body (as in Ttsuri-komi-goshi).
Tsuri-te: Lifting hand.
U
Uchi: Inner (as in O-uchi-gari).
Uchi-komi: Repetition practice without throwing.
Ude: Arm (as in Ude-gatame; Ude gashi).
Uke: Person defending a judo technique.
Ukemi: Falling practice (side, back, forward).
Uki: Floating (as in Uki-otoshi).
Unbo: Exercises, calisthenics.
Ura: Back (as in Ura-nage).
Ushiro: Reverse or rear (as in Ushiro-kesa-gatame).
Ushiro-ukemi: Back breakfalls (also called Koho-ukemi).
Utsuri: Change or transfer (as in Utsuri-goshi).
W
Waki: Armpit (as in Waki-gatame).
Waza: Technique.
Waza-ari: Almost ippon.
Waza-arei awasete ippon: Two waza-are score ippon.
Y
Yakusoku renshu/geiko: agreed upon practice.
Yama: Mountain (as in Yama-arashi, or mountain storm).
Yame: Stop.
Yoko: Side (as in Yoko-shiho-gatame).
Yoko-sutemi-waza: Side sacrifice throw.
Yoko-ukemi: Side fall (also called Sokohu-ukemi).
Yondan: 4th Degree black belt.
Yonkyu: Orange belt.
Yoshi: Continue.
Yudansha: A black belt holder.
Yusei-gachi: Win by superior performance
Z
Zarei: A seated, formal bow.
Zen: Virtue, goodness.
Zenpo-kaiten: Front rolling fall.
Zori: Sandals made of straw.