相撲
sumō[sɨmo̞ː]
sumō is the Japanese word for sumo wrestling.
相撲 refers to the traditional Japanese sport of sumo wrestling.
Meaning: form of wrestling (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 相撲 is composed of the kanji 相 (mutual/reciprocal) and 撲 (strike/hit).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
When referring to the athletes themselves, it is common and polite to use the form お相撲さん. This is achieved by adding the honorific prefix お and the suffix さん.
How do you pronounce it?
sumō
Did you know?
- The word sumo is a linguistic relative of mukō, which means 'over there' or 'the opposite side'.
Examples in context
- 相撲を観戦したことある？Have you ever watched sumo wrestling?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has ever watched 相撲.Tatoeba #12393541 by bunbuku, translation #274157 by CK
- ２５０キロというのは相撲取りとしても並外れた体重だ。Two hundred fifty kilograms is an extraordinary weight even for a sumo wrestler.This sentence uses 相撲 to describe the weight of a wrestler.Tatoeba #235560 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #72940 by CM
- 彼らは日本のお相撲さんだよ。They are Japanese sumo wrestlers.This sentence uses the polite form お相撲さん to refer to Japanese sumo wrestlers.Tatoeba #122682 by isteu, translation #281320 by isteu
- Watashi wa sumō ga daisuki desu. (私は相撲が大好きです)I love sumo.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are talking about traditional Japanese sports.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんは相撲が好きですか？Ren-san wa sumō ga suki desu ka?Ren, do you like sumo?
- 蓮 Renはい、相撲はとても面白いです。Hai, sumō wa totemo omoshiroi desu.Yes, sumo is very interesting.
- 結衣 Yui今度一緒に相撲を見に行きましょう。Kondo issho ni sumō o mi ni ikimashō.Let's go watch sumo together next time.
- 蓮 Renいいですね。ぜひ行きましょう！Ii desu ne. Zehi ikimashō!That sounds great. Let's definitely go!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sumo” translations and entries 相撲, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 相撲, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
