Japanese word

相撲

Pronunciation

Romajisumō

Meaning

  • nounsumo

Example

私は相撲を見ます。watashi wa sumō o mi ma su

I watch sumo.

Illustration for 相撲 (sumo)

More examples

日本の相撲は海外でも人気があります。nihon no sumō wa kai gai de mo nin ki ga a ri ma su

Japanese sumo is popular overseas as well.

Core concept

Centers on a contest of pushing, gripping, and balance in which one wrestler loses control of the ring or falls first.

Common phrases

  • 相撲を取るsumō o to ru

    wrestle in a sumo match

  • 相撲を見るsumō o mi ru

    watch sumo

Definition in Japanese

土俵内で力士同士が押す、引く、組むなどして相手を外へ出すか倒し、勝敗を決める日本の競技。do hyō nai de riki shi dō shi ga o su hi ku ku mu na do shi te ai te o soto e da su ka tao shi shō hai o ki me ru nihon no kyō gi

Word origin

相撲 (sumō, "sumo") is linked to the older Japanese verb すまふ (sumafu, "to struggle or contend"); the written form combines 相 (sō, "mutual") with 撲 (boku, "strike").

Usage tips

  • In English, sumo is a loanword used for both the sport and its professional world, so it appears in news about tournaments, rankings, and wrestlers.

Word lists with this word