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Japanese vocabulary · Beginner
How do you say "martial arts" in Japanese?
武道
budō
In Japanese, "martial arts" is 武道 (budō).
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Pronunciation
武道 is written using kanji. Romanised as budō, it sounds roughly like "boo-doh" to an English ear.
Writing and usage
Budō uses 武 (martial/warrior) with 道 (way/path). The path of martial discipline.
Example sentence
武道はどこにありますか？
Budō wa doko ni arimasu ka?
Where is the martial arts?
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How to remember 武道
Warrior's way. A spiritual discipline as much as physical combat.
Related words
- bicycle 自転車 jitensha
- table tennis 卓球 takkyū
- frisbee フリスビー furisubī
- bat バット batto
- boots ブーツ būtsu
- badminton バドミントン badominton
- tennis テニス tenisu
- cleats クリート kurīto
- roller skates ローラースケート rōrāsukēto
Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.
Questions about 武道
How do you pronounce 武道?
武道 is romanised as budō. Say it roughly like "boo-doh" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.
Is 武道 formal or casual?
武道 is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.
How is 武道 written in Japanese?
武道 is written using kanji. Budō uses 武 (martial/warrior) with 道 (way/path).
Where can I practice Japanese words for free?
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"Martial arts" in other languages
- Korean 무술 (musul)
- Chinese 武术 (wǔ shù)
- Spanish las artes marciales
- Spanish (Latin America) las artes marciales
- French les arts martiaux
- German der Kampfsport
- Italian le arti marziali
- Russian боевые исскуства (boevye isskustva)
- Greek οι πολεμικές τέχνες (i polemikes tehnes)
- Arabic فنون الدفاع عن النفس (finoon ildifaeA Aan ilnafs)
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