Did you know that the total number of medals earned by Japanese athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games was 58? What’s more, they set a new record for the most number of gold medals won. It’s evident how well-versed Japanese people are in sports or 運動 (undou). This got us wondering: besides international sports, are there any traditional Japanese sports you’re familiar with, such as Japanese-style wrestling 相撲 (sumo) Japanese sword-style martial art 剣道 (kendo)? If not, we’re thrilled to share a fantastic Japanese sports vocabulary with you.
Even though many sports in the Japanese language have borrowed English words, there are unique ways to pronounce them in Japanese. That’s why we must learn what the words look like and practice the Japanese pronunciation. Now, let’s do it as a team and learn together!
The Most Popular Sport In Japan
What’s your best guess? Your response will likely be the same as ours. Yes, it’s baseball, or 野球 (yakyū) in Japanese.
At a time when the country was absorbing more Western traditions and practices, baseball made its way to Japan during the Meiji era. Baseball is a popular sport among Japanese boys of all ages, from primary school through university. There is, of course, a Japanese player at the top of the heap. Currently, Shohei Ohtani (大谷 翔平) is one of the world’s top 10 most popular players. Before joining the Los Angeles Angels, he played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of the Japanese Baseball League.
Also, the popularity of baseball is highlighted by the fact that more than 30 baseball-themed anime have been produced so far. Since there is plenty of it, it’s obvious that the Japanese are truly engaged in this sport.
3 Basic Words For Sports In Japanese
- スポーツ (supo-tsu) – Sport
- 運動 (undou) – Exercise
- アスレチックス (asurechikkusu) – Athletics
- スポーツ選手 (supo-tsusenshu) – Athlete
Japanese Sports Vocabulary
| English | Japanese Script | Japanese Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Karate | 空手 | Karate |
| Sumo wrestling | 相撲 | Sumō |
| Judo | 柔道 | Jūdō |
| Kendo | 剣道 | Kendō |
| Aikido | 合気道 | Aikidō |
| Japanese-style archery | 弓道 | Kyūdō |
| Japanese chess | 将棋 | Shōgi |
International Sports Words List
| English | Japanese Script | Japanese Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Swimming | 水泳 | Suiei |
| Surfing | サーフィン | Sa-fyin |
| Taekwondo | テコンドー | Tekondo- |
| Gymnastics | 体操 | Taisō |
| Weightlifting | 重量挙げ | Jūryōage |
| Badminton | バドミントン | Badominton |
| Table Tennis | 卓球 | Takkyū |
| Tennis | テニス | Tenisu |
| Basketball | バスケットボール | Basukettobo-ru |
| Volleyball | バレーボール | Bare-bo-ru |
| American Football | アメリカンフットボール | Amerikanfuttobo-ru |
| Football | フットボール | Futtobo-ru |
| Rugby | ラグビー | Ragubi- |
| Baseball | 野球 | Yakyū |
| Soccer | サッカー | Sakka- |
| Softball | ソフトボール | Sofutobo-ru |
| Shooting | 射撃 | Shageki |
| Horseback riding | 乗馬 | Jōba |
| Bowling | ボーリング | Bo-ringu |
| Marathon | マラソン | Marason |
| Golf | ゴルフ | Gorufu |
| Softball | ソフトボール | Sofutobo- |
| Cycling | サイクリング | Saikuringu |
| Hockey | ホッケー | Hokke- |
| Ice Hockey | アイスホッケー | Aisuhokke- |
| Skating | スケート | Suke-to |
| Skiing | スキー | Suki- |
| Skateboarding | スケートボード | Suke-to bo-do |
Outdoor Activities In Japanese
| English | Japanese Script | Japanese Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobics | エアロビクス | Earobikusu |
| Mountain climbing | 登山 | Tozan |
| Fishing | 釣り | Tsuri |
| Camping | キャンプ | Kyanpu |
How To Ask About Sports In Japanese
- 何かスポーツをしますか? (nani ka supōtsu o shimasu ka?) – Do you play any sports?
- どのスポーツが好きですか? (dono supōtsu ga sukidesu ka?) – Which sports do you like?
- どのチームを応援しますか? (dono chīmu o ōen shimasu ka?) – Which team do you support?
Get To Know Japanese Traditional Sports
Sumo Wrestling (相撲)
Sumo is Japan’s unique form of wrestling and is the country’s national sport. It has its roots in ancient periods as a show for the Shinto gods. Tradition holds that the sport is exclusively played professionally by males in Japan. And the rules are easy to understand. The wrestler who quits the ring or touches the ground with anything other than his feet first in a match, then he loses.
When Is This Sporting Event Held?
Every tournament lasts 15 days and begins and finishes on Sunday. There’ll be four tournaments in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka, each in a different month as follows: Tokyo (in January, May, and September), Osaka (in March), Nagoya (in July), and Fukuoka (in November).
Kendo (剣道)
Like fencing, kendo takes inspiration from the samurai sword arts. Bamboo swords, rather than metal swords, are commonly used in this martial art form. A “duel” between two swordsmen in black hakamas and protective gear will occur. And it’s typical to see students practice kendo in full uniform in Japanese schools.
Judo (柔道)
Judo is a type of wrestling based on the concept of self-defense. Each motion in judo is driven by the strength of the opponent’s force, and one of the main goals is to throw off the opponent’s balance. In the Olympic Games, you may observe this martial art in motion. And we can always count on the Japanese judo players to succeed; they regularly win gold medals in this sport.
Karate (空手)
We all know what sports this is because it’s so popular. However, the origin of Karate may be attributed to Okinawa, where it was first developed. Today, karate is a global trend, and many people are either familiar with it or have taken classes in it at some time.
Summary
Do you want to play a game or engage in some physical activity now that you’ve mastered the Japanese sports word? Incredibly, we could experience Western-style and Japanese traditional sports together. Besides learning new Japanese vocabulary, you’ll be able to observe just how rich Japan’s cultural heritage is. Japanese people have done their own unique sport, and it’s still going strong in the modern day. You’ll be inspired by something you won’t find in other countries when you visit Japan. Also, get to know their language better.
Learn Japanese With The Ling App
Do you always support the Japanese team when you’re watching the Olympics? So we assume that you’re already a fan of Japan, and you’re more likely to enjoy studying the Japanese language. So, why don’t you start learning Japanese with the Ling App right away?
Whether using a smartphone or an internet browser on a laptop, we have high-quality lessons and a vast library of resources available online. You can learn everything from essential words to more complicated grammar structures with the Ling App. Besides listening to how a native speaker pronounces the words, you can also take fun quizzes to refresh your memory.
So, are you all set to come along? Then download the Ling App from the Google PlayStore and Apple AppStore now, and prepare to be fluent in Japanese very soon!
Updated by: Gwyn
