Judo Terms - A 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.

 

Skip to: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, M, N, O, R, S, T, U, W, Y, Z, Numbers

 

 

Japanese	English translations
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
Batsugun	Instant promotion
Bogyo	Defense - to an attack
Budo - 武道	Martial way
Bujutsu - 武術	Martial arts
Bushido 武士道	Way of the warrior; old rules followed by samurai warriors

 

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	Advancing foot sweep [1, 2]
Debana	Instant of opportunity to break balance as opponent initiates a motion
Do - 道	Path, way or road
Do jime - 胴絞
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	Beginning or start [1, 2]
Hane	Springing action done with the leg
Hane goshi - 跳腰	Spring hip
Hane goshi gaeshi - 跳腰返
Hane makikomi - 跳巻込	Winding spring hip
Hando no kuzushi	Unbalancing by reaction
Hanshi - 教士	Exemplary teacher - comes from Shogo [1]
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, naval or "center of gravity"
Harai - 払	Sweeping action done with the leg
Harai goshi - 払腰	Sweeping hip
Harai goshi gaeshi - 払腰返
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 or means

 

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
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	Scarf hold [1, 2]
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
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 [1]
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 [1]
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	Chest hold [1, 2]
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
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	Major outer drop [1, 2]
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
O soto makikomi - 大外巻込	Major outer winding
O soto otoshi - 大外落
O uchi gaeshi - 大内返
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	Bow [1, 2]
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 [1]. Comes from Shogo [1]
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[1]
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	Standing bow [1, 2]
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
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
Ude hishigi ashi gatame - 腕挫脚固
Ude hishigi hara gatame - 腕挫腹固	Stomach lock
Ude hishigi hiza gatame - 腕挫膝固
Ude hishigi sankaku gatame - 腕挫三角
Ude hishigi te gatame - 腕挫手固
Ude hishigi ude gatame - 腕挫腕固
Ude hishigi waki gatame - 腕挫腋固
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	Rear breakfall [1, 2]
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	Side breakfall [1, 2]
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
Zanshin	Awareness
Za rei	Kneeling or seated bow [1, 2]
Zenpo kaiten ukemi - 前方回転受身	Forward rolling break fall
Zori - 草履	Japanese sandals made of rice straw
Zuban - ズボン	Judogi pants
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