How to Write Judo in Japanese Characters: A Beginner’s Guide to Kanji and Kana image 14

A Comprehensive Guide to Writing Judo in Japanese

Whether you’re studying judo or just excited to learn more about this iconic martial art, writing about it in Japanese can seem daunting at first. However, with some understanding of the key terms and concepts, you’ll be able to discuss judo fluently in its native language. In this article, I’ll break down the major elements you need to know like kanji, katakana, vocabulary, and grammar. By the end, you’ll have the tools to write thoughtfully about judo.

Kanji and Katakana

The first step is understanding how judo terms are written using kanji characters and katakana. Some basic ones to know include:

  1. 柔道 (jūdō) – The kanji for “gentle” and “way” make up the word for judo itself.
  2. 投げる (nageru) – To throw, written with the kanji for “throw.”
  3. 取る (toru) – To grip or hold, written in katakana.
  4. 払い (harai) – A sweeping motion, like in deashi-harai or osoto-gari throws.

Memorizing the common judo-related kanji will serve you well when reading or writing about techniques. It’s also important to know when katakana is used, like for foreign loanwords.

Core Vocabulary

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Beyond just techniques, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with judo terms like:

  • Randori – Free practice sparring
  • Shiai – Competition
  • Keikokugo – Formal judo language
  • Obi – Belt
  • Dojo – Training hall
  • Sensei – Teacher

Incorporating these common words will allow you to discuss all aspects of judo fluently. Make flashcards or practice using the terms regularly so they become second nature.

Grammar and Sentence Structure

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When putting judo terms together into sentences, it’s important to follow proper Japanese grammar rules. Here are a few to keep in mind:

Subject-object-verb word order is standard. For example: “Watashi wa uke o nageru.” means “I throw the opponent.”

Use keigo honorific speech forms like ~masu to talk respectfully about judo and one’s opponents.

Attach the appropriate tense endings like ~ta or ~te to verbs. And conjugated verbs come at the end of the sentence.

Particles like wa, o, de are essential for linking parts of speech properly. Leave them out and it may confuse the meaning.

With practice, you’ll internalize these grammar rules to sound natural when writing about judo techniques, matches, or training experiences.

Telling Judo Stories

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Now that you have the written judo “vocabulary” down, you can start incorporating the terms into full stories, analyses, or personal anecdotes. Here’s a sample story from my own judo days:

“During a recent shiai, I faced a tough uke who was significantly heavier than me. In randori that week, I had been practicing jumping entries like uchi-mata and deashi-harai. But in the match, nothing seemed to be working! This guy had an amazing defense. Then, in the final minute take a chance. I changed levels abruptly and went for a single leg takedown. His momentum helped me complete the sukui-nage and I was able to pin him for an ippon. It was awesome to pull off a unexpected technique right when I needed it most.”

By including details about specific throws, defenses, pins and more, you bring the world of judo to life for readers. Personal commentary makes it engaging too.

Editing for Proficiency

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Even native Japanese speakers continue honing their judo writing skills. After composing a draft, go back and:

Check kanji spelling and readings with a dictionary.

Simplify complex sentences for increased readability.

Replace vague words like “thing” with proper judo terms.

Get feedback from others – teachers, fluent friends – to improve.

Editing ensures your command of technical judo language as well as general writing abilities.

I hope this guide has given you a solid foundation for discussing judo accurately yet enjoyably in Japanese. With regular practice incorporating the vocabulary, grammar patterns and storytelling techniques outlined here, you’ll be able to write compelling pieces that truly inspire others about this wonderful martial art. Don’t be afraid to experiment – that’s how improvement happens. Have fun expanding your judo knowledge!

How to Write Judo in Japanese

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Kanji Hiragana Pronunciation
柔道 じゅうどう Jūdō
じゅう Jū (gentle, soft, supple)
どう Dō (method, way of doing)
Together, 柔道 means “the gentle/soft/supple way”
Romanized as “Judo”, the modern martial art founded by Jigoro Kano in 1882

FAQ

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  1. What is judo in Japanese?

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    Judo is known as “judo” (柔道) in Japanese. The kanji characters for judo mean “gentle way” or “soft/supple/giving way.”

  2. How do you write judo in Japanese characters?

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    Judo is written with the kanji 柔道 in Japanese. The first character 柔 means soft, gentle or flexible. The second character 道 means method, way or path. Together they mean “the gentle/supple/giving way.”

  3. What do the Japanese characters for judo represent?

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    The two Japanese characters used to write judo each represent an important concept in the martial art. The character 柔 refers to yielding or adapting to your opponent’s movements. The 道 character indicates that judo is considered a “way,” meaning more than just a sport – it’s a path of personal growth.

  4. Is kata taught in judo?

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    Some basic kata (forms) are taught in judo, though not as prominently as in other Japanese martial arts. Throwing kata are used to practise techniques alone or with a partner. They focus more on applying judo principles than precise motion sequences. So kata do play a role, but free sparring is emphasizes more.

  5. How is judo scoring different from karate or tae kwon do?

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    Unlike those stand-up striking arts, judo focuses on throwing and grappling rather than punching or kicking. A throw that lands an opponent on their back is an instant win (ippon). Holding an opponent on the ground for 25 seconds also wins. Scoring is based more on controlling the opponent than merely contact accuracy as in karate or tae kwon do.

  6. Why is judo considered both an art and sport?

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    Judo places emphasis on philosophies like courtesy, humility, and self-improvement – not just competitive success. While winning tournaments is important to athletes, judo’s founder Kano intended it as a path to mold character. The extensive practice of difficult techniques also cultivates patience and discipline. So judo involves both artistic expressions of form and the sportive aspect of contesting, earning its dual designation.

At the same time, judo is very different from karate or tae kwon do in important ways. Nevertheless, kata do still play a role in judo training, despite a focus on dynamic sparring. On the other hand, scoring depends more on controlling the opponent than striking accuracy alone. Despite being a competitive sport, judo’s philosophical roots are what lend it an additional designation as a martial art as well. However, both aspects – sport and character development – define the hybrid nature of judo according to its founding vision. In short, while it uses grappling over striking, judo embraces qualities of both an art and sport.