Judo Glossary

A

  • Ago – Chin
  • Ashi – Foot; Leg
  • Ashi Garami – Entangled leglock
  • Ashi Guruma – Leg wheel
  • Ashi Waza – Leg techniques
  • Atemi – Head
  • Ayumi Ashi – Natural walking

C

  • Chitsai – Small

D

  • Dan- Black belt and above
  • De – Advance
  • Do – The way
  • Dojo – Place of practice

E

  • Eri – Collar

G

  • Gaeshi – Counter
  • Gake – Hook and break
  • Goshi – Hip
  • Guruma – Wheel
  • Gyaku – Reverse
  • Gyaku Juji Jime – Reverse cross choke
  • Gyakute Dori – Reverse two hand hold

H

  • Hadaka – Naked; Bare
  • Hajime – Begin; First
  • Hane – Spring; Jump
  • Hansoku Make – Loss by violation of rules
  • Hantai – Opposite; Reverse
  • Hara – Stomach
  • Harai – Sweep
  • Hayai – Fast
  • Hidari – Left
  • Hiki – Pull
  • Hiki Waza – Draw; Tie; Even
  • Hiji – Elbow
  • Hiza – Knee

I

  • Ippon – 1 point (Win by 10)

J

  • Jigotai – Defensive posture
  • Jikan – Referee calls to stop the clock
  • Jime – Strangle; Choke
  • Jogai – Outside Area
  • Joseki – Seat of honour or examiner
  • Judogi – Judo Suit
  • Judoka – Person who studies Judo
  • Juji – Cross

K

  • Kachi – Win
  • Kaeshi – Counter
  • Kake – Body contact
  • Kami – Upper body
  • Kansetsu – Joint
  • Kata – Shoulder
  • Kata – Prearranged form of judo principles and techniques
  • Katai – Hard; Stiff
  • Katame – Grappling
  • Katsu – Method of revitalization for strangled person
  • Keiko – Practice
  • Kiai – Shout of strength & spirit
  • Ko – Red
  • Koka – 3 Points
  • Kodokan – Judo headquarters in Tokyo, Japan
  • Koshi – Hip
  • Kubi – Neck
  • Kume – Command to grasp each other
  • Kumikata – Gripping method
  • Kuzure – Modified hold
  • Kuzushi – Breaking opponent’s balance
  • Kyu – Grade below black belt

M

  • Mae – Forward; Front
  • Maitta – Surrender; To give up
  • Maki Komi – Winding throw
  • Mate – Stop (Wait)
  • Migi – Right
  • Momo – Thigh
  • Morote – Both arms
  • Mune – Chest

N

  • Nage – Throw
  • Nage Waza – Throwing technique
  • Newaza – Grappling technique

O

  • O – Major; Great
  • Obi – Judo Belt
  • O Guruma – Major wheel
  • Okuri – Sliding
  • O Sae Komi Waza – Holding technique
  • O Toshi – Drop down

R

  • Randori – Free practice
  • Rei – Bow
  • Renzoku Waza – Combination technique
  • Ritsu Rei – Standing bow

S

  • Sasae – Prop; Support
  • Sensei – Teacher; Instructor
  • Shiai – Contest; Competition
  • Shiho – Four corners
  • Shihan – Professor
  • Shime – Strangle; Choke
  • Shinpan – Referee; Umpire
  • Shita – Down
  • Shizentai – Natural standing position
  • Sode – Sleeve
  • Sonomama – Command from Referee to freeze and not move
  • Soremade – Finish; Command from Referee that time has expired
  • Soto – Outer
  • Sukui – Scoop up
  • Sumi – Corner
  • Sutemi – Sacrifice; to throw opponent by throwing yourself

T

  • Tai – Body
  • Tai sabaki – Body movement
  • Tatami – Mat
  • Te – Hand
  • Tekubi – Wrist
  • Toketa – When hold is broken
  • Tomoe – Circular
  • Tori – Person who does the throwing; Attacker
  • Tsukuri – While entering a throw floating movement
  • Tsuri – Pull & lift in circular motion

U

  • Uchi – Inner
  • Uchikomi – Practising repetition of technique
  • Ude – Arm
  • Ude Garami – Entangled armlock
  • Ude Gatame – Arm armlock
  • Uke – Person being thrown; Receiver of a technique
  • Ukemi – Method of falling
  • Ushiro – Back; Backwards
  • Utsuri – Changing

W

  • Waza – Technique
  • Wazari – 7 Points

Y

  • Yoko – Side
  • Yoshi – Go; Continue
  • Yubi – Fingers
  • Yuko – 5 Points
  • Yusei Gachi – Win by Judge’s decision

Z

  • Zarei – Bowing from a kneeling position