Japanese / English
Martial Arts Dictionary

 

Japanese

English

A
Abunai Danger or Dangerous
Aburamushi Cockroach
Ada Enemy / Revenge
Adana Nickname
ago Chin
ago-oshi Chin Push
ai-nuke Mutual escape
aka Red
Aki Autumn
akido Way of Harmony.  A Martial Art.
Amma Massage
anata  You
anata ga ta benkyoo suru watsahi shitsukeru You learn, I teach - You teach, I learn
anji Hint, Suggestion
anza Sitting cross-legged
ano-ne Listen
anzen-chitai Safety zone
ao  Blue
Arigato Thank you
arigato gozaimasu Thank you.  This is a formal, very polite version of saying Thank You
asa Morning
asa-han Breakfast
asahi Morning Sun
ase Wet
Ashi Foot
ashi-kubi Ankle
ashi ura Ball of the Foot
ashi-no-ubi Toe
ashi waza Foot Techniques
atama Head
atama akabu Head person, Leader
atemi waza Striking Techniques
ato-no-sen See GO-NO-SEN
atsui Hot
Atsumare Line up.  Not the Judo command
awase waza Ippon earn by two different WAZA ARI techniques
awasete All together
aymashi Mistake or error
ayumi-ashi Normal Walking

B
baka Fool
bakarashi Foolish or Ridiculous
ban Evening
bango Page Number or Phone Number
banzai Hooray!
batsugun Instantaneous Promotion.  Usually made for an outstanding performance in competition or to align rank with demonstrated ability without formal testing.
benjo Restroom
benshi Speaker
benkyoka Diligent Student
benyko Study
bo Stick.  Staff, usually at least the height of the person wielding it as a martial weapon.
bogyo Defense to an attack.
budo Martial Arts
buji Safety 
bujini Peaceful
bujitsu Martial Art Skills
bujitsu sosho Collected works on Martial Arts
bukiyo Clumsiness
bushi damashi Spirit of the Warrior
bushi-no-nasaki The tenderness of a warrior
bushido The Way of the Warrior.  The term given to the code of ethics of the Samurai and nobles of Japan.
bushido no ichi-gon The word of a Samurai
bushoo mono Lazy Bones
buta Pig
butsukari Hospital
byoki Sickness
byonin Sick Person

C
cha Tea
chairo Brown
cha no yu The Tea Ceremony.  A ritual way of serving tea as an art form.
chan-to Properly and Exactly
chaomen Notebook
chaushoku Lunch or Luncheon
chawan Tea cup or rice bowl
CHI Blood, wisdom, or the term used to describe inner spiritual strength.  The Chinese word "KI" is sometimes used in its place.
chibusa Beast
chichi Father
chidarake Bloodstained
chie Wisdom
chiisai Small
chikai Near or close by.
chikara Strength, Force, Energy or Power
chikau Pledge or Oath
chikoku Tardiness
chishiki Knowledge
chishiki-kaikyu The Intellectual Class
chitai Difference
chokan Secretary
choro Elder
chosen Defiance, Challenge
chotto Just a moment.
choomen Notebook
chotto mattae Wait a moment please.
chui Caution.  A penalty in tournament competition equal to a YUKO.
chui-jimbutsu Person who has been blacklisted.
chuushin Center
civilian Slang for a non-Judo player

D
dabokusho Bruise
dai-ichi The First
daigakusei College or University Student
daiGaKu University
daijobu All right or OK
daishonin Scribe
daitai Main Points
daito A Samurai Long Sword
damatte kudasai Stop Talking
dame No Good or Useless
dan Black Belt grades
danjo Both Sexes
danketsu Union
dare Who
dare-ni Whom
dare-no Whose
de Advanced
deguchi Exit
dekunobo Dunce or Fat
denko Lightning
dento Tradition
denwa Telephone
denwacho Telephone Directory
dewa mata I'll be seeing you.
do? How
do A "way" of life.
domo Thanks.
do itashi-mashite You are welcome.
dojo Martial Art practice hall.  Literally, a place to learn the way.
doko Where
doko-ka Somewhere
dono Which One
dore Which
doshite Why
doyabi Saturday
dozo Please

E
E Picture or Photograph
Eda Tree branch
eEgo English language
eEyaku English translation
empitsu Pencil
enjo suru Give Help
enkai Banquet
eri Lapel

F
Fubo Parents
fudangi Clothing
fuuiuchi Surprise Attack
fuku daitoryo Vice President
fuku shin Judge
fusegi Escapes
fusen gachi Win by forfeit or withdrawal by your opponent.
fusen-sho Win by default

G
gachi Decision.  A win of any type.
gaeshi waza Counter Techniques
gaibun Reputation
gaijin Foreigner
gake To dash while throwing.
gakki (School) Term
gari Reap
gatame Lock or hold
Getsuyobi Monday
gi Uniform.  See JUDOGI
gicho Speaker
giri The obligation hardest to gear.  The obligation to put back into your art all you have gotten from it.
gishiki Ceremony
godan 5th- Dan  Fifth Degree Black Belt  Black and Red Belt
GOKYU 5th-Kyu.  Fifth Class.  Green Belt in Bushido Kai Amerca
gogatsu The month of May
gokyu no waza The five stages of techniques recognized by the KODOKAN
gomen kudasai Please excuse me
go no sen no kata Strategy of countering an opponent's attack
goshin jitsu no kata Forms of defense   Originally practiced by men only
goshi Hip
goshi waza Hip Techniques
goshin Ho Methods of self defense
gote Limiting an opponent's response
guruma Wheel

GYAKYU

Reverse
H

HACHIDAN

8th- Dan  Eighth Degree Black Belt  Red and White Belt

HACHIGATSU

Month of August.

HACHIKYU

8th-Kyu  Eighth Class Yellow Belt with Black Stripe in Bushido Kai America

HADAKA

Naked, as in a choke

HADARI

Left

HADARI JIGO

Left defensive

HADASHI

Bare feet

HAHA

Mother

HAI

Yes

HAJIME

Begin. Command to start a contest.

HAJIME MASHITE

Pleased to meet you.

HAKKEYOI

Keep at it.

HAKUCHI

Idiot.

HANA

Nose.

HANASHI

Talk.

HANDO-NO-KUZUSHI

Capitalizing on the off balance created by one’ s opponent.

HANASU

To talk or speak.

HANE

Springing action.

HANSHI

Traditional term for a teacher of 9th or 10th Dan Rank.

HANSOKU MAKE

Loss by a serious violation of the rules.  Disqualified.

HANTEI

Call for judgement on the outcome of a contest.

HAPPO-NO-KUZUSHI

Forms of of f-balancing caused or created by the attacker.

HARA

Stomach.

HARAI

Sweep.
hara kiri Dishonorable method of taking one's own life.
harai kata Methods of entry into mat work.
hashi Chop sticks
hataraku To do work.
hattatsu Growth, Development, Progress
heiwa ni Peaceful
heisei Calm, Quiet
hidari Left
hidari jigo Left Defensive
hidari shizen Left Natural
hontai Basic Postures
hoseki Jewel
higakura Hidden amongst the leaves
higashi East
hige Elbow
hiki wake Draw Match
hima Leisure time
hiru-han Lunch
hishiGi Crush
hitobito Men; people
hitu Man; person
hiza Knee
hiza gashira Knee cap
homon-sha Visitor
hon Basic
hon shitsu Essence
honto Fact
hotai Bandage
hyogo Slogan
I
I.J.F. International Judo Federation.  The world governing body for Judo.
Ichiban Number one.  The best
ichido One time; once
ichigatsu The month of January
ichinen One year
ichinichi One day
idori Movements from a kneeling position.
iie No
iincho Chairman
ikaga How?
ikaga desu ka How are you?
ikemasen Must not (do something)
iki Breath, Breathe
ikimono Creature
ikkyu 1st-Kyu. First degree Brown Belt in Bushido Kai America.
ikudomo Many times
ima Now; in the present
inazuma Lightning
inu Dog
ippon Full point
irasshai Come here.
isamashi Brave, courageous
isha Medical Doctor
isogi Hurry
isooroo Parasite
isshukan One week
isu Chair
itachi Weasel
itai Ouch!
itami waki Loss by injury
itsu When
itsutsu no kata Forms of Five Kata
itsu made How long?

J
Jaba suru Disturb
jakuten Weak point
ji Japanese ideograph.  (A symbol which expresses a whole concept or concepts.
jibiki Dictionary
jidoo Child
jigo Defensive
jigo hontai Basic defensive posture.
jikan Time
jiko Accident
jime Choke
jimusho Office
jin Benevolence
jita kyoei Mutual benefit and welfare. (OR) Let us go forward together.
jitensha Bicycle
jit surei Example
jiyu Self reliance
jobu Good health (a toast)
jodan Joke
jodeki Good work
jo Small stick, 2-3 feet in length.  Used as a martial weapon.
jodo Way of the stick. A martial art.
jogai Outside of the mat area.
joseki Side of the DOJO reserved for honored guests.
joshi goshin-ho Traditional self defense for women
joshiki Common sense
joza Seat of Honor. (in the DOJO)
jozu Skill, Dexterity
ju Principle of giving way; gentle
Ju jitsu Unarmed self defense skills.
junbi suru Prepare
ju no kata Forms of Gentleness
juushimatsu Lovebird
ju yoko go wo seisuru Softness controls hardness
judan 10th- Dan.  Tenth Degree Black Belt.  Red Belt.
judo The Gentle Way
judogi Judo Unifom
judoka Judo Student
judosha Automobile
jugatsu Month of October
juichigatsu Month of November
juji Cross
jukyu 10th-Kyu. Tenth Class. A beginning Judo student, White Belt, in Bushido Kai America.
junbi undo Warm up exercises.
junidan 12th-Dan.  Twelfth Degree Black Belt.  Awarded to Dr. KANO after his death to set him apart in honor for all time.  Double White Belt.
junigatsu Month of December
junsa Policeman
jushin Center of gravity
kaban  Briefcase or Suitcase
kabuki Japanese classical play
kachi A win of any type
kachiki na Unyeilding spirit
kaeshi See GAESHI
kagashi Scarecrow
kage Shadow
kagi Key
kai Club
Kaibutsu Monster
kai-cho President
kaihi Membership fees
kaiin Member
kaiten Rolling (as in rolling falls)
kakato Heel
kake Execution of a throw.
kakeashi Run fast. Double time.
kami Paper; hair; or Spirit Guide (a guardian angel)
kami dana Shrine within a DOJO
kaminari Thunder
kami Sama God
kamiza Upper seat.  Side of DOJO reserved for YUDANSHA.

KAN

School or building

KANCHOO

Spy

KANPAI

Cheers. A toast

KANSETSU WAZA

Joint locking techniques

KANTOKU

Coach

KAO

Face

KAPPO

Japanese methods of resuscitation

KARATE DO

Way of the Empty Hands. Martial Art

KARUI

Light (weight)

KASUMI

Temple, Mist

KATA

Prearranged forms. Set pattern for the performing of formal techniques. Also the true word for shoulder and half.

KATAME NO KATA

Forms of Grappling
KATAME WAZA Grappling Techniques

KATANA

Set of Japanese swords

KATSU

Forms of resuscitation
KEGA

Injury

KEGA MAKE

Defeat by injury

KEI KOKU

Warning. A penalty in contest equal to a WAZA ARI

KEIKO

Practice in general

KENDO

Way of the sword. A Martial Art

KENGAKU

Instruction by observation. A command to gather in order to observe.

KENSEI

Sword Saint. Title given to Miyamoto MUSASHI.

KERU

To Kick

KESA

Scarf or Collar

KI

See CHI. Also a tree

KIAI

Spirit breath. A shout used to release spiritual energy.

KICHIGAI

Insanity. A mad man.
KIHON

Basics
KIHON RENSHU

Practice in the fundamentals.

KIIRO

Yellow

KIJINRU

Forbidden!

KIKEN GACHI

Win by withdrawal of an opponent.

KIME

Decision in instantaneous self defense.

KIME NO KATA

Forms of decision for self defense.

KINO

Yesterday

KINYOBI

Friday

KINSA

Slight superiority

KISOKU

Set of rules.

KITA

North
KIYOTSUKE

Attention

KO

Small or minor

KOCHI

Coach

KODOKAN

School of the Way. Original school of Judo founded by Dr. Kano

KOHAI

Understudy, a student assigned to a higher rank.

KOKO

Here

KODANSHA

High rank holders of 5th-Dan and above.

KOHO

Back

KOHO UKEMI

Back fall

KOKA

Minor point in contest, almost a YUKO. Also the mind.

KOKYUBI

Day off

KOMBANWA

Good Evening

KOMI

 Pull

KONNICHIWA

Good Afternoon

KOSHIKI NO KATA

Forms of Antiquity

Kotai suru

Take turns

Ku

Emptiness

Kuba

Neck

Kuchi

Mouth

Kudan

9th-DAN.  Ninth Degree Black Belt.  Red Belt.

Kufu

Escape from a dilemma.
KUKYU 9th-KYU.  Ninth Class.  Yellow Belt in Bushido Kai America.

Kumi

Team

Kumi kata

Forms of Gripping

Kumi uchi

Forerunner of JU JITSU.

Kuro

Black
Kutsu

Shoes

Kuzure

Slipped, broken or modified.
kuzushi Off Balance
kyo Today
kyogi sha Athlete
kyokasho  Textbook
kyo do sha Textbook
kyoshi Traditional title given a teacher of 7th or 8th Degree Black Belt.
kyu Student Grades

M
Ma Direct or Flat
Ma-ai Judgment of engagement distance.
MA SUTEMI WAZA Direct or Back sacrifice techniques.
machi dojo Downtown DOJO
mainshi Everyday
maitta I surrender
make  Loss of any type
maki  Winding
maki komi Winding-pull action
makoto  A truth
manaka Center of gravity
masukotto Mascot
matte Stop or Wait
mattsu Meditate
mattsu yami Awaken, Wake up
me Eye
megane Eye glasses
meijin Expert or Master
meiyo Honor
meiyo iincho Honorary Chairman
meiyo kaicho Honorary President
mi (Human) Body
michi Way, Road, Street
Midori Green
migaku no tamashi Polishers of souls
migi Right
migi jigo hontai Right defensive postures
migi shizen hontai Right natural postures
mihon Example
mimi Ear
minami South
minamoto Source, Origin
Mizu Water
mochiron Of course; Without a doubt
mogaku Struggle
moichi-do Again, repeat it
mokuji Table of contents
mokyuyobi Thursday
mon Gate
morote Two arms.  Both arms
mudansho Holder of any rank below Black Belt.  (KYU Grades)
mune  Chest
mune oshi Chest push
murasaki Purple
mushin "No mind".  State where the body reacts without thought, reflexively.
muto "Without sword", referring to the self defense skills practiced by KENJITSU
followers.
myonichi Tomorrow
N
N.G.B. National Governing Body
nafudakake Name board, a chart showing the names and ranks of members in a Martial
Arts Club.
nagaiki Long life.  Longevity.
nage Throw
NAGE NO KATA Forms of Throwing.  A set of fifteen throws, done right and left sided, demonstrating the skill and beauty of the of the throwing techniques.
NAGE WAZA Throwing techniques
namai  Name
nami Normal
nan deska What is it?
nan-do How many times?
nando-mo Many times!
nani What?
nanji What time, When?
nanji deska What time is it?
natsu Summer
naze Why?
NE WAZA Slang for Grappling Techniques.
neko Cat
nemui Sleepy
nesan Elder sister
nichiyobi Sunday
nidan 2nd-DAN.  Second Degree Black Belt.  
nigatsu February
nihon Japan
nihongo Japanese language
NI JU SHICHI Shintai 27 Basic Movements.  A Chito-Ryu Kata used to teach basic defensive blocks and striking techniques.
nikyu 2nd-KYU.  Second Degree Brown Belt.
nishi West
no Of
noboru Climb
nodo Throat
Nomu To drink
nori Sea weed

O
O Big or Major
o-cha Green Tea
o-kage sama desu Thank you for your kindness.
o-medetO gozaimasu Formal Congratulations
oba Aunt
oba san Grandmother, or respectful term for an old woman.
obi Belt
ochiru Loss of consciousness
odaiji-ni Take care of yourself
ohaiyo gozaimasu Good Morning
o-hairi nasai Come in
oi Nephew
oishi Tasty
oikakeru Chase
oji Uncle
ojosan Young woman
okaeri nasai Welcome back
okane Money
okasan Mother
okuri To send or slide
otoku Man
Otoku no benjo Mens Room
otoko no ko Child
otona Adult
otosan Father
otoshi Drop
ototo Husband
oyasumi Holiday, rest.
oyasumi nasai Good Night
oyayubi Thumb
oyogi Swimming

P
P.J.U. Pan-American Judo Union

R
Raigetsu Next Month
Rakudai Failure in an examination
Randori Free practice
rei Bow
reigi saho Etiquette
reisei Calmness, composure
rekishi History
ren-chi-shin A sense of shame
renrakyu waza Combination techniques
renshi Traditional title of 4th, 5th, or 6th Degree Black Belt.  An "Assistant Instructor".
renshiho Proper manners on the mat.  Correct conduct.
renshu Practice
renzoku waza Continuous techniques
riai Performance of proper actions, i.e. Kata.
rinri Ethics
riso Ideal
ritsu rei Standing Bow
rokudenashi Good for nothing guy.
rokugatsu June
rokyu 6th-KYU.  Sixth Class .  Orange Belt with Black Stripe in Bushido Kai America.
roku dan 6th-DAN.  Sixth Degree Black Belt.  Red and White Belt. 
romanji Roman letters used to write Japanese words.
ronin Masterless warrior
ryu Style, school or system of a Martial Art.
sake Japanese Rice wine
sakura Cherry blossom
sakura-no-hana The KODOKAN logo of a cherry blossom.
samurai  Japanese warrior
samurai dokoryu Warrior council
sandan 3rd-DAN.  Third Degree Black Belt.
sankaku Triangle
sankyu 3rd-KYU.  Third Class.  Blue Belt in Bushido Kai America.
saru Monkey
sasae Lower prop
sasayaki Softly spoken
sayonara Good Bye
seimei suru Announcements
seiryoku aenyo Maximum efficiency
seiza Sitting on knees.  Command to Line up.
seishin Spirit
sempai High Student, Senior Student
sen Initiative
senaka Back of the Body
senjutsu Tactics
senryaku Strategy
sensei Teacher
sensei Arigato gozaimasu Teacher, thank you for the lesson.
sensei dai Chief Instructor
sensei onegaeshi masu Teacher, please open class.
senshu A competitor
senshu ken Championships
seoi Back carry; Shoulder
seppuku An honorable method of taking one's life.
shashin Photograph
shiai Tournament
shiaijo Contest Area
shichidan 7th-Dan.  Seventh Degree Black Belt.  Red and White Belt.
shichigatsu July
SHICHIKYU 7th-Kyu.  Seventh Class.  Orange Belt in Bushido Kai America.
shido Note!  (A minor violation of the rules in a Judo contest)
shidosha Leader
shigatsu April
shihan Master
shi hai nin  Manager
shiho Corners
shiki Ceremony
shiken Written examination
SHIME WAZA Choking Techniques
shimpan Referee
shimoza Lower seat.  Side of the DOJO reserved for MUDANSHA
shinjitsu Fact, Truth, Reality
shinkyu shiai MUDANSHA promotional tournament
shinsa Examination of physical skills.
shinsa iin Member of the Board of Examiners.
shinsa in Examiner
shintai Body movement
shiro White
shisei Posture in general
shitahara Abdomen
shita Down
shizen Natural
shizen hontai Basic Natural Postures
shochu geiko Special summer training
shoki Recording secretary
shoko Commissioned office
shomei Signature
shonen Juniors ages 13 to 16 years old
shonen gumi Junior class
shoshinsha Beginner
shoto Short sword
shugyo Training
shumatsu undo Cooling off exercises
soatari shiai Round robin tournament
sode Sleeve
soko There
sokuho ukemi Side falls
sogo gachi Win by the combination of a WAZA ARI and a violation.
sonkei Respect
sono mama Freeze
sore made  Time is up.  Command to end the contest.
sotai renshu Practice in pairs.
soto Outside
subarashi Splendid
suigetsu Solar plezus
suiyobi Wednesday
suki Punch, like or relaxation
sumi Corner
suso Bottom
suteigeiko Alternative throwing practice without resistance.
sutemi Sacrifice
SUTEMI WAZA Sacrifice techniques
suwate kudasai Please be seated
T
tabun Perhaps, probably
TACHI WAZA Techniques of throwing from a standing position
taka  Hawk
tai Body
taido Attitude
taifu Typhoon
tai sabaki Body Pivoting
taisho Team Captain
taiyo Sun
tamashii Spirit
tanden Abdomen
tandoku renshu Pantomime practice
tani Valley
tanjobi Birthday
tatami Japanese Judo mats
tate Vertical
tate kudasai Please stand
te Hand
TE WAZA Hand Techniques
tekubi Wrist
tenchi Heaven & Earth
tentori shiai Man-for-Man elimination tournament
tetsu Iron
tetsugaku Philosophy
tokui waza Favorite Technique
tomodachi Friend
tomoe Circle
tori Attacker
tsugi ashi Walking by the sliding of one's feet.
tsuri Lift or lifting
tsuri komi Lift-pull action
tsukuri Entry into a throwing technique
tsuyoi Strong

U
U.S.J.A. United States Judo Association.  Largest of the national organizations.
U.S.J.F. United States Judo Federation
U.S.J.I. United States Judo, Inc.  The National Governing Body for Judo in the U.S.
uchi Inside
uchi komi "Inside pulls" ; Fit-ins
ude Arm
ue-ni Up
uke Defender; Defend or Block
ukemi Falling methods or ways
uki Float or floating
ura Rear
ushiro Reversed
uso Lie, falsehood
utsuri Changing or switching
uwagi Judo jacket

W
wakare Separation or Divide
wakari masen I do not understand
wakarimaska Do you understand?
wakari masu I understand
waki Winding
warui Bad, Wrong or Incorrect
watashi Me, Myself or I
Waza Techniques
waza ari Half point.  Almost IPPON
waza ari awaste ippon Two half points equals a full point.

Y
yakamashi Noisy
yama Mountain
yamabushi Mountain warrior
yani ai Willow tree
yoko Side
YOKO SUTEMI WAZA Side Sacrfice Techniques
yodan See YONDAN
yondan 4th-DAN.  Fourth Degree Black Belt.  
yogo jiten Glossary
yoru Night
yoshi Continue
yoten Key points
yu Courage
yubi Finger
yudansha Any holder of Black Belt rank
yudansha kai Black Belt Association.  A political body
yuki Courage, Bravery
yuko A contest score between KOKA and WAZA ARI
yuhan Dinner
yume Dream
Yusei gachi Decision win judged on superiority of performance.
yuushi Warrior

Z
zanshin An alertness which dominates an opponent.
zarei Kneeling bow
zazen Sitting meditation
zempo Front
zempo kaiten ukemi Front Rolling Falls
zempo ukemi Front fall
zori Sandals
zoshin Promotion
zubon Trousers, pants