Judo Terms - Complete List Of Judo Terms
Judo terms are the foundation of this martial art, and our collection is here to help both new and experienced judokas learn and improve.
The Kodokan Institute, the birthplace of Judo, has played a significant role in shaping the art's terminology, which comprises a vast array of techniques, including throws (Nage-waza), grappling techniques (Katame-waza), and striking techniques (Atemi-waza).
To get the most out of Judo, it's essential to learn its terminology, including traditional Japanese terms like "Uki" (floating) and "Tsugi" (next), as well as their English translations.
Well-known Judo practitioners, such as Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo, and famous athletes like Toshihiko Koga and Kosei Inoue, all stress the importance of mastering Judo terms to succeed in the sport.
Whether you're part of a local Judo club, competing in tournaments, or just a fan of the art, this guide will be a valuable resource on your Judo journey.
A
Ai yotsu - あいよつ
Same grip used by both persons, either right or left
Aka obi - 赤帯
Traditional red belt - used to differentiate judokas in a match
Anza - 安座 (also Agura - 胡坐)
Sitting cross legged or foreign/barbarian sitting
Arigatou - ありがとう
Thank you
Ashi - 足
Foot, leg
Ashi garami - 足緘
Leg lock
Ashi gatame - 腕挫脚固
Leg-based armlock joint technique
Ashi guruma - 足車
Leg wheel
Ashi hara gatame - 脚腹固
Leg stomach arm lock
Ashi jime
Leg strangle
Ashi sankaku garami
Leg triangle entangled armlock
Ashi waza - 足技
Foot techniques
Atemi waza - 当て身技
Striking techniques
Ayumi ashi - 歩み足
Foot work; Normal pattern of walking
B
C
Chui
Penalty (no longer used)
D
Daki ko soto gake
Hug minor outside hook
Daki wakare - 抱分
Hug seperation
Dan - 段
Black belt rank
De ashi harai - 出足払
Debana
Instant of opportunity to break balance as opponent initiates a motion
Do - 道
Path, way or road
Do jime - 胴絞
Leg-powered body compression “choke” applied around the opponent’s torso
Dojo - 道場
School or training hall for practising Judo
E
Ebi garami
Lobster entanglement
Eri
White Judogi or blue Judogi collar, lapel
Eri seoi nage
Collar shoulder throw
F
Fudoshin
Immovable spirit
Furi nage
Flip throw
Fusegi
Escape from a pin
Fusen Gachi
Win by default
G
Gachi
Win of any type
Gake
Dashing action done with the leg
Ganseki otoshi
Rock drop
Garami
Entangle
Gatame
Lock or hold
Go no kata - 剛の形
Forms of force
Go no sen no kata - 後の先の形
A kata of counter techniques
Godan
Fifth degree black belt
Gokyu
Firth class (kyu) Judo rank
Goshi
Waist or hip
Goshin Jutsu
Formal form or art of self-defense
Gyaku
Reverse
Gyaku juji jime - 逆十字絞
Reverse cross strangle
Gyaku sankaku gatame
Revers triangular hold
Gyaku kesa gaami
Reverse scarf entangled armlock
Gyaku okuri eri jime
Reverse sliding collar choke
Gyaku tekubi
Reverse wrist
H
Hadaka jime - 裸絞
Naked strangle
Haichidan
Seventh degree black belt
Hairi kata
Entry methods into matwork
Hajime - 始め | はじめ
Hane
Springing action done with the leg
Hane goshi - 跳腰
Spring hip
Hane goshi gaeshi - 跳腰返
Counter-throw performed in response to the hip spring throw Hane goshi (跳腰)
Hane makikomi - 跳巻込
Winding spring hip
Hando no kuzushi
Unbalancing by reaction
Hanshi - 教士
Exemplary teacher - comes from Shogo
Hansoku make - 反則負け
Most serious penalty, disqualification
Hantai ude kujiki
Reverse arm crush
Hantei - 判定
Referee call for judge's decision
Happo no kuzushi
Kuzushi in 8 directions
Hara - 腹
Stomach, navel or "center of gravity"
Harai - 払
Sweeping action done with the leg
Harai goshi - 払腰
Sweeping hip
Harai goshi gaeshi - 払腰返
Counter throw to Harai goshi
Harai makikomi - 払巻込
Winding sweeping hip
Harai tsuri komi ashi - 払釣込足
Sweeping lift-pull ankle
Hasami jime
Scissor strangle
Hidari
Left
Hidari ashi jime
Left leg strangle
Hidari shizentai
Left standing grip
Hiji
Elbow
Hiji otoshi
Elbow drop
Hiki komi gaeshi - 引込返
Rolling take down
Hiji makikomi
Elbow coiling
Hiki otoshi
Pull drop
Hiki wake
No decision–tie or draw
Hikite
Pulling hand - usually the hand gripping a sleeve
Hiza - 膝
Knee
Hiza gatame
Knee lock
Hiza guruma - 膝車
Knee wheel
Hiza soto muso
Knee outer leg shoulder throw
Hon kami shiho gatame
Upper four quarters hold
Hon kata gatame
Shoulder holding
Hon kesa gatame
Scarf hold
Hon tate shiho gatame
Lengthwise four quarters hold
I
Ikkyu
First class (kyu) judo rank
Ippon - 一本
Victory in one move, one point
Ippon Seoi nage - 一本背負投
One arm shoulder throw
Itsutsu no kata - 五の形
Forms of five - advanced kata
J
Jigo hontai
Defensive posture
Jigoku jime
Hell strangle
Jigoro Kano - 嘉納治五郎
Founder of Judo
Jikan
Referee call to stop the clock
Jita kyoei - 自他共栄
Principle of mutual prosperity or mutual welfare and benefit
Joseki
Place of honor, upper seat
Joshi goshinho - 女子護身法
Methods of self-defence for women
Ju - 柔
Gentle, non-resistive
Judan
Tenth degree black belt
Judo - 柔道
Japanese martial art, also gentle way, see what is Judo
Judo Ichidai
A Judo life–Spending one's life in the diligent pursuit of Judo
Judogi - 柔道着
Judo practice uniform - Judo suit
Judoka - 柔道家
One who studies Judo
Juji
Cross
Juji ashi shiho gatame
Cross leg four quarters hold
Juji gatame
Cross armlock
Juji jime
Cross strangle
Junbi undo
Judo warm-up exercises
Junidan
Twelfth degree black belt - held only by Jigoro Kano
Ju no kata - 柔の形
Forms of gentleness & flexibility
Ju no Ri
Principle of flexibility or yielding
Jujutsu
Gentle art
Jutsu - 術
“Art,” “technique,” or “method,” referring to practical skills or technical applications
K
Kaeshi jime
Overturn strangle
Kaeshi waza
Counter techniques
Kakato jime
Heel strangle
Kake - 掛け
Completion or execution of technique
Kami hiza gatame
Upper knee lock
Kami sankaku gatame
Upper triangular hold
Kami shiho ashi jime
Upper four quarter hold leg strangle
Kami shiho basami
Upper four quarter hold scissors
Kami shiho gatame - 上四方固
Upper four quarters hold
Kami shiho gatame escapes - 上四方固の逃れ方
Escape technques from Kami shiho gatame
Kamiza
Side of the dojo or tournament mat reserved fo senior Judoka or officials
Kani basami - 蟹挟
Scissors Throw or Flying Scissors
Kani jime
Crab strangle
Kannuki gatame
Bolt lock
Kansetsu waza - 関節技
Joint locking techniques
Kanwa - 緩和
Relaxation
Kappo
Resuscitation techniques
Kata - 形
Forms or Shoulder
Kata eri jime
Single collar strangle
Kata eri seoi
Single lapel shoulder throw
Kata eri sode tsurikomi goshi
Single lapel and sleeve lifting drawing hip
Kata gatame - 肩固
will be updated soon
Kata gatame escapes - 肩固の逃れ方
Escape techniques from Kata gatame
Kata guruma - 肩車
Shoulder wheel
Kata ha jime - 片羽絞
Single collar strangle
Kata hiza tai otoshi
One knee body drop
Kata hiza te ouchi gake ashi dori
Single knee hand major inside hook
Kata juji jime - 片十字絞
Single cross strangle
Kata osae gatame
Shoulder trap holding
Kata sode ashi tsurikomi goshi
Single sleeve leg lifting drawing hip throw
Kata sode seoi nage
Single sleeve shoulder throw
Kata sode seoi otoshi
Single sleeve shoulder drop
Kata soto ashi dori
Single outer leg grab
Kata te ashi koshi jime
Single hand leg hip strangle
Kata te jime - 片手絞
Strangle with one hand
Kata te kata ashi jime
One hand one leg strangle
Kata uchi ashi dori
Single inner leg grab
Katame no kata - 固の形
Forms of grappling
Katame waza - 固技
Grappling techniques
Katame-waza ura-no-kata - 固め技裏の形
Forms of reversing controlling techniques
Katsu
Resuscitation
Katsugi gatame
Shoulder carry lock
Katsugi jime
Shoulder carry strangle
Kawazu gake - 河津掛
Illegal act of entwining the leg of an opponent
Keiko
Practice in general
Keikogi - 稽古着
White uniform
Keikoku
Penalty (no longer used)
Ken ken uchi mata
Hoping inner thigh
Kenka Yotsu
Opposite grips used by each person, one right/one left
Kenkyu sei - 研究生
Judo practicioner below 4th dan - only athletes above 4th were called Judoka (traditional meaing)
Kensui jime
Hanging strangle
Kesa garami
Scarf hold lock
Kesa gatame - 袈裟固
Kesa gatame escapes - 袈裟固の逃れ方
Escape techniques from Kesa gatame
Ki
Internal force or spiritual energy
Kibisu gaeshi - 踵返
Single leg take down - ankle pick
Kiai
To gather spirit with a shout
Kiken gachi
Win by withdrawal of the opponent during a match
Kime no kata - 極の形
Forms of decision
Kincho - 緊張
Tension
Kinsa
Slight superiorit - contest call
Kinshi Waza
Techniques prohibited in competition
Kiotsuke
Attention
Ko
Little or minor
Ko soto gake - 小外掛
Minor outer hook
Ko soto gari - 小外刈
Minor outer reaping
Ko uchi gaeshi - 小内返
Ko uchi counter
Ko uchi gake
Minor inner hook
Ko uchi gake maki komi
Minor inner hook winding
Ko uchi gake mata maki komi
Minor inner hook thigh winding
Ko uchi gari - 小内刈
Minor inner reaping
Ko uchi makikomi - 小内巻込
will be updated soon
Kodansha
High ranking judoka — 5th dan and above
Kodokan - 講道館
Judo institute in Tokyo where Judo was founded
Kodokan goshinjutsu - 講道館護身術
Kodokan skills of self-defence
Kogeki seyo
Order for judoka to attack
Kohaku shiai
"Winner stays up" team contest
Koho-ukemi
Falling methods to the rear
Koka - 効果
Score less than a yuko - not used anymore
Kokyu - 呼吸
Deep breathing into the belly
Komi - 込
Pull, moving into/toward something or pushing inside something
Koshi - 腰
Hip
Koshi guruma - 腰車
Hip wheel
Koshi jime
Hip strangle
Koshi waza - 腰技
Hip techniques
Koshiki no kata - 古式の形
Ancient forms
Kubi
Neck
Kubi nage
Neck throw
Kuchiki taoshi - 朽木倒
Single leg take down or pushing the rotten tree
Kudan
Ninth degree black belt
Kumi kata
Gripping methods - forms of gripping an opponent
Kuro obi - 黒帯
Black belt
Kuzure
Modified hold
Kuzure kami shiho gatame - 崩上四方固
Broken upper four quarters lock
Kuzure kami shiho gatame escapes - 崩上四方固の逃れ方
Escape techniques from Kuzure kami shiho gatame
Kuzure kesa gatame - 崩袈裟固
Broken scarf hold
Kuzure kesa gatame escapes - 崩袈裟固の逃れ方
Escape techniques from Kuzure kesa gatame
Kuzure tate shiho gatame
Broken lengthwise four quarters hold
Kuzure yoko shiho gatame
Broken side four quarters hold
Kuzushi - 崩し
Unbalancing the opponent
Kyoshi - 教士
Expert teacher or professor - comes from Shogo
Kyu - 級
Student rank
M
Maai
Space or engagement distance
Mae - 前
Forward, front
Mae hiza uranage
Face knee rear throw
Mae mawar ukemi
Forward rolling breakfall
Mae sabaki
Frontal escape
Mae ukemi - 前受け身
Forward breakfall
Mae sode jime
Facing sleeve strangle
Maitta - まいった
I surrender
Makaura kesa gatame
Pillow scarf holding
Masutemi waza - 真捨身技
Back sacrifice throws
Mata
Thigh
Matte - 待て
Stop, break or wait
Migi
Right
Migi shizentai
Right standing grip
Morote eri seoi nage
Two handed shoulder throw or two handed lapel shoulder
Morote gari - 双手刈
Double leg grab
Morote kata sode tai otoshi
Two hand single sleeve body drop
Morote seoi nage
Two handed shoulder throw
Mudansha
Students below black belt rank
Mune
Chest
Mune gatame
Mune gyaku
Chest lock
N
Nage
Throw
Nage no kata - 投の形
Forms of throwing - 15 throws
Nage komi
Repetitive throwing practice
Nage waza - 投技
Throwing techniques
Nage waza ura no kata - 投げ技裏の形
[1, 2]
Nami
Normal
Nami juji jime - 並十字絞
Normal cross strangle
Ne Waza
Techniques on the ground
Nidan
Second degree black belt
Nidan ko soto gake
Two step minor outer hook
Nidan ko soto gari
Two step minor outer reap
Nikyu
Second class (kyu) Judo rank
O
O
Big or major
Obi - 帯
Judo belt
Obi goshi
Belt hip throw
Obi otoshi - 帯落
Belt drop
Obi seoi
Belt shoulder throw
Obi tori geashi - 帯取返
will be updated soon
Obi tori o soto gari
Belt grab major outer reaping
O goshi - 大腰
Major hip
O guruma - 大車
Major wheel
O soto otoshi - 大外落
O soto gaeshi - 大外返
O soto counter
O soto gake
Major outer hook
O soto gari - 大外刈
Major outer reaping
O soto guruma - 大外車
will be updated soon
O soto makikomi - 大外巻込
Major outer winding
O soto otoshi - 大外落
will be updated soon
O uchi gaeshi - 大内返
will be updated soon
O uchi gari - 大内刈
Major inner reaping
O uchi gake
Major inner hook
Okuden
Secret teachings
Okuri ashi harai - 送足払
Double foot sweep
Okuri eri jime - 送襟絞
Sliding collar strangle
Onegai shimasu
Please
Osaekomi
Pin or holding, referee call to begin timing
Osaekomi waza - 抑込技
Hold down - pinning techniques
Osaekomi toketa
Escape, stop timing of hold
Otoshi
To drop
R
Randori - 乱取り
Free practice
Randori no kata - 乱取りの形
Forms of free practice techniques
Randori waza
Techniques for free practice
Rei
Reiho
Forms of respect, manners, etiquette
Renraku waza
Combinations in different direction
Renshi - 錬士
Lowest rank in Shogo - "polished teacher"
Renzoku waza
Combinations in the same direction
Ritsurei
Standing bow
Rokkudan
Sixth degree black belt
Rokyu
Sixth class (kyu) Judo rank
Ryo ashi tomoe nage
Two feet circle or stomach throw
Ryo hiza gatame
Double knee armlock
Ryo hiza kata guruma
Two knees shoulder wheel
Ryo hiza seoi otoshi
Two knees shoulder drop
Ryo te jime - 両手絞
Sliding collar strangle
S
Sandan
Third degree black belt
Sankaku gatame
Triangular hold down
Sankaku jime - 三角絞
Triangular strangle
Sankaku osae gatame
Triangular strangle and hold down
San kyu
Third class (kyu) Judo rank
Sasae tsuri komi ashi - 支釣込足
Propping drawing ankle
Seika Tanden
A point in the abdomen that is the center of gravity
Seiryoku zenyo - 精力善用
Kano's principle of maximum efficiency, minimum effort
Seiryoku zenyo kokumin taiiku - 精力善用国家体育
Maximum-efficiency national physical education
Seiza
Formal sitting on knees
Sen
Attack initiative
Sensei - 先生
Teacher, instructor
Seoi nage - 背負投
Over the back throw
Seoi otoshi - 背負落
Shoulder drop
Shiai - 試合
Contest or tournament
Shiaijo
Competition area
Shido - 指導
Penalty
Shihan - 師範
Title for a model teacher or "teacher who sets the standard"- applied only to Jigoro Kano
Shiho
Four corners (as in pins)
Shiho gatame
Four quarter hold
Shime
Choke
Shime waza - 絞技
Choking techniques
Shinpan
Referee
Shintai
Moving forwards, sideways & backwards
Shisei - 姿勢
Posture
Shishidan
Eight degree black belt
Shizentai
Natural posture
Shodan
First degree black belt
Shogo - 称号
Parallel belt system
Shomen
Dojo front
Simmeisho no Waza
Newly certified throwing techniques of Kodokan Judo
Sode
Sleeve
Sode guruma jime - 袖車絞
Sleeve wheel
Sode tsuri komi goshi - 袖釣込腰
Sleeve lift pull hip
Sogo gachi
Combination win by adding a one half point from a violation and one Waza-ari
Soke
Founder of a martial art or ryu
Sono Mama
Stop action; command to freeze
Sore Made
Finished, time is up
Sotai rensho
Practice in pairs
Soto
Outside
Soto ashi dori ouchi gari
Outside leg grab major inner sweep
Soto kibisu gaeshi
Outer heel trip
Soto makikomi - 外巻込
Outside winding
Soto ashi dori ouchi gari
Outside leg grab with major inner sweep
Soto mata seoi otoshi
Over thigh shoulder throw
Sukashi
Avoiding or evasive action
Sukoshi
A little
Sukui nage - 掬投
Scoop throw
Sumi gaeshi - 隅返
Corner throw
Sumi otoshi - 隅落
Corner drop
Sute geiko - 捨稽古
Randori throwing practice without resistance done with a partner
Sutemi
Sacrifice
Sutemi waza - 捨身技
Sacrifice techniques - from supine position
T
Tachi rei
Tachi waza - 立ち技
Standing technique
Tai
Body
Tai otoshi - 体落
Body drop - hand throw
Tai Sabaki
Body control, turning body
Tama guruma
Ball wheel
Tandoku rensho
Solo practice
Tani otoshi - 谷落
Valley drop
Tatami
Mat
Tate sankaku gatame
Lengthwise triangular holding
Tate shiho gatame - 縦四方固
Lengthwise four quarters hold
Tate shiho gatame escapes - 縦四方固の逃れ方
Escape techniques from Tate shiho gatame
Tawara gaeshi - 俵返
Rice bag reversal throw
Tawara jime
Rice bale strangle
Te
Hand, arm
Te guruma
Hand wheel
Te waza - 手技
Hand techniques
Tekubi
Wrist
Tentori shiai
Man-for-man, or elimination tournament
Toketa
Hold broken, referee's command
Tokui Waza
Favorite or best technique
Tomoe nage - 巴投
Circle throw
Tori - 取り
Person performing a technique or taker
Tsubame gaeshi - 燕返
Swallow swoop counter
Tsugi ashi
Following foot walking
Tsukuri - 作り
Entry into a technique, positioning
Tsuri
Lift
Tsuri goshi - 釣腰
Fishing hip throw
Tsuri komi
Lift-pull action
Tsuri komi ashi
Propping drawing ankle
Tsuri komi goshi - 釣込腰
Drawing hip
Tsuri komi jime - 突込絞
Thrusting strangle
Tsurite
Lifting hand
U
Uchi
Inside
Uchi kibusu gaeshi
Inner heel trip
Uchi makikomi - 内巻込
Inner winding
Uchi mata - 内股
Inner thigh
Uchi mata gaeshi - 内股返
will be updated soon
Uchi mata makikomi - 内股巻込
Winding inner throw
Uchi mata sukashi - 内股すかし
Inner thigh reaping throw or Uchi mata side step
Uchi komi - 内込
Repeated practice without completion
Ude
Arm
Ude gaeshi
Arm roll
Ude garami - 腕緘
Entangled armlock
Ude gatame
Arm lock
Ude hishigi juji gatame - 腕挫十字固
will be updated soon
Ude hishigi ashi gatame - 腕挫脚固
will be updated soon
Ude hishigi hara gatame - 腕挫腹固
Stomach lock
Ude hishigi hiza gatame - 腕挫膝固
will be updated soon
Ude hishigi sankaku gatame - 腕挫三角
will be updated soon
Ude hishigi te gatame - 腕挫手固
will be updated soon
Ude hishigi ude gatame - 腕挫腕固
will be updated soon
Ude hishigi waki gatame - 腕挫腋固
will be updated soon
Uke - 受け
Person being attacked or receiving the technique or receiver
Ukemi - 受け身
Breakfall techniques
Uki
To float or floating
Uki gatame - 浮固
Floating holding
Uki gatame escapes - 浮固の逃れ方
Escape techniques from Uki gatame
Uki goshi - 浮腰
Floating hip
Uki otoshi - 浮落
Floating drop
Uki waza - 浮技
Floating throw
Undo
Exercises in general
Ura - 裏
Rear, behind - as in throwing and pinning
Ura gatame - 裏固
Rear holding
Ura gatame escapes - 裏固の逃れ方
Escape techniqes from Ura gatame
Ura juji jime
Rear cross strangle
Ura kesa gatame
Rear scarf hold
Ura nage - 裏投
Rear throw
Ushiro
Backward, rear
Ushiro goshi - 後腰
Rear hip
Ushiro hiza ura nage
Rear knee lift
Ushiro kesa gatame - 後袈裟固
Reverse scarf holding
Ushiro kesa gatame escapes - 後袈裟固の逃れ方
Escape techniques from Ushiro kesa gatame
Ushiro sabaki
Back movement control
Ushiro ukemi - 後ろ受身
Utsuri goshi - 移腰
Changing hip
Uwagi - 上衣
Judogi jacket
W
Waki
Armpit
Waki gatame
Armpit lock
Waki otoshi
Armpit drop
Waza - 技
Technique
Waza ari - 技あり
Near ippon or half point
Waza ari awasete ippon - 技あり合わせて一本
Two waza-ari together for the ippon score
Y
Yakusoku geiko (or renshu) - 約束稽古
Pre-arranged free practice
Yama arashi - 山嵐
Mountain storm
Yodan
Fourth degree black belt
Yoko - 有効
Side
Yoko gake - 横掛
Side hook
Yoko guruma - 横車
Side wheel
Yoko kaiten ukemi
Sideways rolling break fall
Yoko kata guruma otoshi
Side shoulder wheel body drop
Yoko otoshi - 横落
Side body drop
Yoho shiho gatame - 横四方固
Side four quarters hold
Yoko shiho gatame escapes - 横四方固の逃れ方
Escape techniques from Yoko shiho gatame
Yoko sutemi waza - 橫捨身技
Side sacrifice throws
Yoko tomoe nage
Side circle or side stomach throw
Yoko ukemi - 横受身
Yoko wakare - 横分
Side separation
Yonkyu
Fourth class (kyu) Judo rank
Yoshi
Resume action, continue
Yubi
Finger
Yudansha
Person who earned any black belt
Yudanshakai
Black belt association
Yuko - 有効
Score less than a waza-ari
Yusei Gachi
Win by judge's decision
Z
Numbers
1
Ichi
2
Ni
3
San
4
Shi
5
Go
6
Roku
7
Shichi
8
Hachi
9
Ku
10
Ju
11
Juichi
12
Juni
Related Posts
-
Hantei Judo Term Explanation
Contrary to popular belief, the term 'Hantei' in Judo is not just a simple decision-making process. It holds the p...
-
Is Judo Dangerous - Unveiling the Shocking Truths Behind this Ancient Martial Art
With its powerful throws and complex grappling techniques, one might wonder, "Is judo dangerous?" Yes, judo can po...
2 comments
Excellent information . I am 5th dan bja and brazilian ju jitsu blackbelt and found these translations so helpful in decoding throws etc from japanese to english. Thank you.
Thanks a lot😍