Sumo basics
Sumo is on TV six times a year, and plenty of people follow it. To chat about it you need the ring, the ranks from down, and the words for how a bout is won. This lesson covers all three. Tap to hear any line. The bar at the bottom plays a hands-free drill for walking.
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25 sumo words
Each card shows a word and a sentence you'd say or hear while watching a bout. Five are from Everyday Japanese 1.
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The ranks, and how a bout is won
The ranking list, the , from the top down, then the winning techniques you'll hear most.
| Word | Reading | What it means |
|---|
- Two main ways to lose. Step out of the , or touch the ground with anything but the soles of your feet.
- The . , and are the three ranks just under .
- Watch the start. The charge at the start is the . Many bouts are over in a few seconds.
- Who won? The referee, the , points his fan, the , towards the winner.
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Three patterns to use today
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Say it in Japanese
Say each one out loud before you reveal the answer. Getting close counts.