Japanese Dictionary

Understand the building blocks of Japanese grappling terminology

45 Components
89 Techniques with Breakdowns
ashi 足 あし
Body Part
foot/leg (foot, leg)
Foot, leg - refers to techniques using the foot or leg
Frequency Rank: 9 Used in 6 techniques
barai 払 ばらい
Action
sweep (brush away, clear)
To sweep away - indicates sweeping movements, often of the feet
Frequency Rank: 7 Used in 3 techniques
eri 襟
Body Part
collar (collar, lapel, neckline)
Refers to the collar portion of the gi/uniform
Used in 3 techniques
gaeshi 返
Action
counter (counter, reversal, return)
Japanese term meaning "return," "counter," or "reversal". In the context of martial arts, particularly Judo, "gaeshi" refers to a technique …
Used in 6 techniques
gake 掛 がけ
Action
hook (hook, hang, entangle, catch, suspend)
To hook, hang, or entangle - specifically referring to techniques where the practitioner uses their leg or foot to hook, …
Used in 1 technique
garami 絡 がらみ
Technique Type
entanglement (twist, wrap, entwine)
To entangle, twist - indicates techniques that entangle or control joints
Frequency Rank: 15 Used in 3 techniques
gari 刈 がり
Action
reap (sweep, cut down)
To reap, sweep, or cut down - typically refers to leg sweeps or reaping actions
Frequency Rank: 5 Used in 5 techniques
gatame 固 がため
Technique Type
hold (pin, control, immobilize)
To hold, pin, or immobilize - indicates pinning or controlling techniques
Frequency Rank: 13 Used in 9 techniques
guruma 車 ぐるま
Shape
wheel (circle, rotation, car)
Wheel - indicates circular, rotating movements or positions
Frequency Rank: 15 Used in 6 techniques
gyaku 逆 ぎゃく
Direction
reverse (reverse, opposite, inverted, contrary, backward)
A fundamental directional modifier indicating reversal or opposite execution of a technique compared to its standard form. Used extensively in …
Used in 1 technique
hane 跳ね はね
Action
spring (jump, bounce, springing action)
To spring, jump, or bounce - indicates techniques using explosive upward motion to lift or unbalance the opponent. Commonly seen …
Frequency Rank: 16 Used in 0 techniques
hiza 膝 ひざ
Body Part
knee (knee, lap, knee and thigh (while sitting))
Techniques using the knee
Used in 1 technique
jime 絞 じめ
Technique Type
choke (strangle, stranglehold)
To choke, strangle - indicates techniques that apply pressure to the neck
Frequency Rank: 14 Used in 33 techniques
juji 十字 じゅうじ
Shape
cross (cruciform, crosswise, perpendicular)
Cross shape formed by perpendicular lines. In martial arts, refers to techniques involving crossing motions or cross-shaped locks.
Frequency Rank: 10 Used in 4 techniques
kata 肩 かた
Body Part
shoulder
Shoulder - refers to techniques using the shoulder
Frequency Rank: 12 Used in 2 techniques
ki 木 き
Shape
tree (wood, timber)
Tree, wood - refers to tree-like structures or wooden objects
Used in 1 technique
kibisu 踵 かかと
Body Part
heel
heel - techniques including the heel
Frequency Rank: 40 Used in 1 technique
ko 小 こ
Size/Intensity
minor (small, little)
Small, minor - indicates a technique done with precision rather than power
Frequency Rank: 2 Used in 3 techniques
koshi 腰 こし
Body Part
hip (waist, lower back)
Hip, waist - refers to techniques using hip movement or hip positioning
Frequency Rank: 11 Used in 4 techniques
kuchi 朽 くち
Modifier
decayed (rotten, weathered, deteriorated)
Decayed, rotten, weathered - indicates something weakened or deteriorated
Used in 1 technique
mata 股 また
Body Part
inner thigh (crotch, groin area, between legs)
Inner thigh or crotch area. In martial arts, refers to attacks or throws targeting the inner thigh region.
Frequency Rank: 7 Used in 2 techniques
moro 諸 もろ
Prefix
both (many, various, all)
Defines techniques using two of something
Used in 2 techniques
nage 投 なげ
Action
throw (project, cast)
To throw - indicates techniques that project the opponent through the air
Frequency Rank: 6 Used in 5 techniques
o 大 お
Size/Intensity
major (large, big, great)
Large, major, big - indicates a technique done with significant force or using large body parts
Frequency Rank: 1 Used in 8 techniques
okuri 送
Action
to slide (to send, tos slide, to move along)
describes a sliding or moving action
Used in 3 techniques
osoto 大外 おおそと
Direction
major outer (big outside, large external)
Major outer direction, combining the concepts of large/major (o) and outside (soto).
Frequency Rank: 11 Used in 0 techniques
otoshi 落 おとし
Action
drop (fall, let drop)
To drop or let fall - indicates techniques that cause the opponent to drop down
Frequency Rank: 8 Used in 4 techniques
sankaku 三角 さんかく
Shape
triangle (three corners, triangular shape)
Triangle shape formed by three points. In BJJ, refers to the triangular choke formed by legs and arm.
Frequency Rank: 6 Used in 6 techniques
seoi 背負 せおい
Action
shoulder carrying (back carry, shoulder loading, bear on back)
To carry or bear on the shoulders/back. In judo/BJJ, refers to throws where you load the opponent onto your back.
Frequency Rank: 9 Used in 3 techniques
sode 袖 そで
Body Part
sleeve (cuff)
Sleeve of a garment, particularly the gi sleeve used in grappling techniques
Frequency Rank: 25 Used in 1 technique
soto 外 そと
Direction
outer (outside, external)
Outer, outside - indicates movement or attack from the outside
Frequency Rank: 4 Used in 5 techniques
sukui 掬 すくい
Action
scoop
To scoop or ladle up - indicates a scooping motion, typically with both hands or arms working together to lift …
Used in 1 technique
sumi 隅 すみ
Direction
corner (corner, nook)
generally refers to "corner" or "nook". These techniques utilize the opponent's momentum and balance at an angle, exploiting a "corner" …
Used in 1 technique
taoshi 倒 たおし
Action
topple (fell, knock down, overthrow)
To topple, fell, or knock down - indicates causing something to fall over
Used in 1 technique
tate 縦 たて
Direction
vertical (lengthwise, longitudinal)
Vertical direction or orientation, used in techniques performed from a vertical/mounted position.
Frequency Rank: 12 Used in 0 techniques
te 手 て
Body Part
hand (arm)
Hand - refers to techniques using the hand or arm
Frequency Rank: 10 Used in 3 techniques
tsubame 燕
Direction
swallow (the bird)
The movement should be as quick and fluid as a swallow's aerial maneuvers
Used in 1 technique
uchi 内 うち
Direction
inner (inside, within)
Inner, inside - indicates movement or attack from the inside or center
Frequency Rank: 3 Used in 5 techniques
ude 腕 うで
Body Part
arm (arm, ability, skill, talent, competence, (physical) strength)
techniques using the arm
Used in 2 techniques
uki 浮 うき
Modifier
floating (buoyant, suspended, lifted)
To float or be buoyant - indicates techniques with floating, lifting, or suspension qualities
Frequency Rank: 20 Used in 1 technique
ura 裏 うら
Direction
back (reverse, rear, behind)
Back, reverse, or behind. Often used in counter-techniques or attacks from behind.
Frequency Rank: 14 Used in 1 technique
wakare 別 わかれ
Action
separation (parting, division, split)
Separation or parting action. In martial arts, refers to techniques involving creating distance or separating from opponent.
Frequency Rank: 15 Used in 1 technique
waza 技 わざ
Technique Type
technique (skill, art, method, craft)
Technique, skill, or method - refers to a specific technical skill or method of execution. Often used as a suffix …
Frequency Rank: 5 Used in 1 technique
yagura 櫓 やぐら
Shape
turret (watchtower, scaffold, platform, framework)
A raised platform or turret structure - refers to the way the opponent is lifted up onto the thrower's back/shoulder …
Frequency Rank: 35 Used in 1 technique
yoko 横 よこ
Direction
side (lateral, sideways, horizontal)
Side or lateral direction, used in techniques performed from the side.
Frequency Rank: 13 Used in 3 techniques

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