Sumo Wrestling in Chinese 相扑
xiāngpū
Sumo in Chinese is 相扑 (xiāng pū).
Also searched for as: sumo, sumo wrestler.
Japan's ancient wrestling. 15 words and phrases for Sumo in Mandarin Chinese, with pinyin and English. Open it in the app to hear each word, tick off the ones you know and turn them into flashcards.
Sumo is 相扑 (xiāng pū) in Chinese, and many of its terms use the same characters as Japanese, simply read the Chinese way: 横纲 (héng gāng) is the grand champion rank of yokozuna, and 土俵 (tǔ biào) is the ring. These words help you describe a bout, explain rituals such as wrestlers who 撒盐 (sā yán), throw salt, and talk about the 力士 (lì shì), the wrestlers themselves, if you watch a tournament with Chinese-speaking friends.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 相扑 | xiāng pū | sumo |
| 力士 | lì shì | sumo wrestler |
| 横纲 | héng gāng | yokozuna (grand champion) |
| 土俵 | tǔ biào | dohyo (the sumo ring) |
| 推出 | tuī chū | to push out |
| 摔倒 | shuāi dǎo | to throw down; to fall |
| 撒盐 | sā yán | to throw salt |
| 兜裆布 | dōu dāng bù | mawashi (sumo belt) |
| 发髻 | fà jì | topknot |
| 体重 | tǐ zhòng | body weight |
| 一场 | yī chǎng | one bout |
| 等级 | děng jí | rank |
| 仪式 | yí shì | ritual; ceremony |
| 东京 | dōng jīng | Tokyo |
| 胜负 | shèng fù | win or lose; the result |
Usage tips
- A bout is often over in seconds, so the key verbs are simple: 推出 (tuī chū), to push out, and 摔倒 (shuāi dǎo), to go down; whoever steps out or touches the ground first loses.
- The salt throwing is a purification ritual, so you can explain it as 撒盐是为了净化土俵 (sā yán shì wèi le jìng huà tǔ biào), they throw salt to purify the ring.
- Tokyo tournaments take place at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan, known in Chinese as 两国国技馆 (Liǎng guó Guó jì guǎn).
Common mistakes
- Pronouncing 相扑 as xiàng pū: 相 here is xiāng, first tone, as in 相信 (xiāng xìn), to believe; xiàng is the reading in 照相 (zhào xiàng), to take a photo.
- Reading the 发 in 发髻 as fā; for hair it is fà, fourth tone, as in 理发 (lǐ fà), haircut, while fā means to send or issue.
- Calling sumo wrestlers 胖子 (pàng zi), fatty, which is rude; use 力士 (lì shì) or 相扑选手 (xiāng pū xuǎn shǒu).
Mini dialogue
- A你在东京看过相扑吗？Nǐ zài Dōng jīng kàn guo xiāng pū ma?Have you ever watched sumo in Tokyo?
- B看过一次，力士都特别高大。Kàn guo yī cì, lì shì dōu tè bié gāo dà.Once. The wrestlers are all enormous.
- A一场比赛一般多长时间？Yī chǎng bǐ sài yī bān duō cháng shí jiān?How long does a bout usually last?
- B常常只有几秒钟，可是比赛前的仪式很长。Cháng cháng zhǐ yǒu jǐ miǎo zhōng, kě shì bǐ sài qián de yí shì hěn cháng.Often just a few seconds, but the rituals beforehand take ages.
- A他们为什么撒盐？Tā men wèi shén me sā yán?Why do they throw salt?
- B听说是为了净化土俵。Tīng shuō shì wèi le jìng huà tǔ biào.Apparently it's to purify the ring.
Example sentences
- 相扑是日本的传统运动。Sumo is a traditional Japanese sport.
- 力士都很重。Sumo wrestlers are all very heavy.
- 横纲是相扑最高的级别。Yokozuna is the highest rank in sumo.
- 女性不能上土俵。Women aren't allowed into the sumo ring.
- 他把对手推出了土俵。He pushed his opponent out of the ring.
- 谁先摔倒谁就输。Whoever falls first loses.
- 比赛前力士会撒盐。Wrestlers throw salt before the bout.
- 力士穿着兜裆布。The wrestlers wear a mawashi.
- 力士都梳着发髻。Sumo wrestlers all wear topknots.
- 有的力士体重超过两百公斤。Some wrestlers weigh over 200 kg.
- 一场相扑常常只有几秒钟。A sumo bout often lasts just a few seconds.
- 相扑的等级很严格。Sumo ranks are very strict.
- 比赛前有很多仪式。There are lots of rituals before a bout.
- 我在东京看过相扑。I've watched sumo in Tokyo.
- 胜负很快就决定了。The result was decided very quickly.
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The Sumo speaking island has 8 everyday questions about Sumo to prepare your own answers to.