Common Japanese Terms
Owner & Head Instructor, Ground Rules Academy
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo are modern descendants of the original Japanese martial art developed in feudal Japan for unarmed combat. As a result, many techniques practiced on the feet and the ground have Japanese names.
Many of these techniques also have names in English, so why bother with the Japanese? A few reasons include:
The naming system in Japanese (in many cases) is structured and logical.
Receiving instructions from your coach in a foreign language can provide an advantage in competition.
It’s an opportunity to learn something challenging and new, which is fun and rewarding on its own.
Here is a list of common phrases, techniques, and positions you’ll encounter in BJJ class at Ground Rules Academy. (Sources: Judo Terms and Nihongodict.com)
General
jiujitsu - the gentle art
judo - the gentle path
dojo - school
sensei - teacher
jiujitsuka/judoka - student of jiujitsu/judo
dan - black belt rank
seiza - sitting on knees
kiotsuke - attention
rei - bow
hajime - start
matte - stop
kuzushi - unbalancing
Ukemi - The art of falling
ushiro ukemi - backwards breakfall
ushiro kaiten ukemi - backwards rolling breakfall
mae ukemi - forward breakfall
zempo kaiten ukemi - forward rolling breakfall
yoko ukemi- side breakfall
Nage waza - throwing techniques
o soto gari - big outside reap
o uchi gari - big inside reap
ko soto gari - small outside reap
ko uchi gari - small inside reap
ko uchi maki komi - small inside winding pull
uchi mata - inside thigh
seoi nage - over the back throw
seoi otoshi - over the back drop
tai otoshi - body drop
uki otoshi - floating drop
tani otoshi - valley drop
uki waza - floating technique
morote gari - two hand reap (double leg takedown)
koshi guruma - hip wheel
o goshi - major hip throw
harai goshi - sweeping hip throw
de ashi barai - exiting foot sweep
kata guruma - shoulder wheel (fireman’s carry)
te guruma - hand wheel
hiza guruma - knee wheel
kani basami - scissor takedown
sumi gaeshi - corner reversal
tomoe nage - circle throw
Ne waza - Ground techniques
kesa gatame - scarf hold
kuzure kesa gatame - modified scarf hold
ushiro kesa gatame - reverse scarf hold
ude gatame* - elbow lock (straight armbar)
kata gatame - shoulder lock
hadaka jime* - naked strangle
kata juji jime - half cross strangle
sankaku jime - triangle strangle
ashi garami - foot entanglement
ude garami* - elbow entanglement (kimura & americana)
*Techniques that can be done standing, so they are not technically ne waza. As Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners, however, we usually perform them on the ground.
If you’re new and this list feels like a lot, don’t worry — Fundamentals is where we start using these words on the mats.
Want to hear them on the mats? Book a free trial and check the live schedule.
A couple questions
Why do we still use Japanese names if there’s an English name too?
A lot of the Japanese naming is structured and logical. It also helps in competition when your coach can talk and the other person doesn’t catch every word — and learning something new is part of the fun.
What’s the difference between nage waza and ne waza?
Nage waza are throwing techniques (standup). Ne waza are ground techniques — holds, locks, and strangles you’ll see once the match is on the mat.
What is ukemi?
The art of falling. Breakfalls and rolling breakfalls so you can take a throw safely and get back to training.
Do I need to memorize this list before my first class?
No. Come train — we’ll use the terms in context. This page is a reference for after class. Book a free trial or peek at the schedule.
Russ Jensen, PhD is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and the founder of Ground Rules Academy in Pleasanton. With a PhD in physical chemistry from MIT, he brings a unique, science-based approach to teaching technique on the mats. He is the author of Ground Rules: Simple Physics for the Grappling Arts.