Basics
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Jigoro Kano – founder of judo
Seiryoku Zenyo – maximum efficiency with minimal effort (first principle of judo)
Jita Kyoei – mutual benefit and welfare (second principal of judo)
Dojo – training place
Judoka – person who studies judo
Sensei – teacher
Sempai – higher-ranked student
Kohai – lower-ranked student
Dan (suffix) – major (black-belt) rank
Yudansha – black belt judoka
Kyu (suffix) – minor (white-belt) rank
Mudansha – white belt judoka
During the Class
Rei – bow
Ritsurei – standing bow
Zarei – kneeling bow
Hajime – begin
Matte – stop
Body Parts
Tai – body
Te – hand
Ashi – foot
Koshi – (goshi) hip
Kata – shoulder
Ude – forearm
Kote – wrist
Hiza – knee
Momo – thigh
Ashikubi – ankle
Kibisu – heel
Mune – chest
Atama – head
Kubi – neck
Ago – chin
Techniques
Waza – technique
Tachi-waza – standing technique
Katame-waza – holding technique
Ne-waza – ground technique
Nage-waza – throwing technique
Osaekomi-waza – pinning technique
Shime-waza – choking technique
Kansetsu-waza – joint lock technique
Tokui-waza – favorite technique
Renshu – practice
Uchikomi – fitting in practice
Keiko – trading techniques
Randori – free practice
Kata – form practice
Tournaments
Shiai – competition
Ippon – full point (victory)
Wazaari – half point
Yuko – minor score
Shido – minor penalty
Hansoku-make – major penalty (disqualification)
Osaekomi -pin
Toketa – pin is broken
Sonomama – freeze (i.e., do not move)
Hikiwake – tie
Hantei – decision
Yoshi -continue
Maitta – “I give up” (submission)
Ippon gachi – victory by ippon
Yusei gachi – victory by judges’ decision
Kiken gachi – victory by withdrawal / injury
Sogo gachi – compound victory by points plus penalties