Translation guide
A place where martial arts are practiced. In Japanese, 道場 (どうじょう) literally means 'place of the way' and is used for training halls for judo, karate, kendo, and other disciplines. It can also refer to a place for spiritual or meditative practice.
The most common meaning: a physical space for practicing martial arts like judo, karate, aikido, kendo, etc.
The standard term for a martial arts training hall. Used for both traditional and modern martial arts.
I practice judo at the dojo every Tuesday.
This dojo is used for karate training.
Specifically a martial arts training hall, emphasizing the martial way (武道). Often used in official or formal contexts.
The kendo club practices in the school's martial arts hall.
A practice place, not limited to martial arts. Can be used for traditional arts like tea ceremony or dance. In martial arts contexts, it may refer to a training space, but 道場 is more common.
They teach aikido at this practice hall.
A place for spiritual training, meditation, or religious practice, often associated with Buddhism.
In modern Japanese slang, 道場 can be used metaphorically for a place where people gather to practice or improve a skill, like a coding dojo or a study group.
Used in names like 'プログラミング道場' (programming dojo) for coding bootcamps or workshops. This is a modern extension of the original meaning.
I attend a programming dojo every Saturday.
In English, 'dojo' is specifically for martial arts. In Japanese, 道場 is not used for a fitness gym or sports club. Use ジム (gym) or 体育館 (たいいくかん, gymnasium) instead.
In English, 'dojo' is a loanword and is usually written in lowercase. It does not need italics. The Japanese word is 道場.
I did training under a waterfall at a mountain ascetic practice place.