Word
judo
Phoneticsju·do
US/ˈdʒuˌdoʊ/
UK/dʒˈuːdəʊ/
Definition
n. a sport from Japan where you use your hands and body to throw your opponent to the ground. It focuses on using the other person's weight and strength against them.
n. a modern Japanese martial art and combat sport characterized by the use of grappling, throws, and joint locks to subdue an opponent. Developed in the late 19th century, it emphasizes maximum efficiency with minimum effort.
Examples
“She practices judo at the local gym twice a week.”
“The instructor taught the beginners how to fall safely before they practiced their first judo throws.”
“While many martial arts rely on striking, judo focuses on leverage and balance, allowing a smaller practitioner to overcome a much larger opponent through superior technique.”
Examples
simple
“She practices judo at the local gym twice a week.”
contextual
“The instructor taught the beginners how to fall safely before they practiced their first judo throws.”
complex
“While many martial arts rely on striking, judo focuses on leverage and balance, allowing a smaller practitioner to overcome a much larger opponent through superior technique.”
Usage
Typically used with the verb 'do' (e.g., 'to do judo') rather than 'play'.
Pitfall
I play judo every Tuesday
I do judo every Tuesday
English speakers use 'do' for martial arts and individual sports that do not involve a ball.
Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese 柔(じゅう)道(どう) (jūdō, literally “the soft way”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/judo