Translation guide
The movement of the feet, especially in sports, dance, or martial arts. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with フットワーク, a loanword from English, or with native terms like 足さばき and 足運び depending on context.
Describing quick, skillful movement of the feet in physical activities.
Using 'footwork' metaphorically to describe clever or agile handling of a non-physical situation.
フットワーク is the most common and versatile, used in modern sports and casual figurative speech. 足さばき is specific to traditional martial arts and emphasizes technique. 足運び is rare and used in very traditional contexts like tea ceremony or Noh. For most learners, フットワーク is the safest choice.
サッカー選手はフットワークが速い。
Soccer players have quick footwork.
柔道の足さばきを練習する。
Practice judo footwork.
The phrase フットワークが軽い (footwork is light) is a common idiom meaning someone is quick to act or easy to approach. It has a positive connotation.
A loanword from English, widely used in sports and dance contexts. It implies agility and lightness.
彼のフットワークは素晴らしい。
His footwork is excellent.
ボクシングではフットワークが重要だ。
Footwork is important in boxing.
A native Japanese term emphasizing the skillful handling of the feet, often used in martial arts like judo or kendo.
剣道では足さばきが基本です。
In kendo, footwork is fundamental.
Literally 'foot carrying', this term focuses on the stepping pattern or gait, used in traditional arts like tea ceremony or Noh theater.
茶道では足運びにも作法がある。
In tea ceremony, there is etiquette even in footwork.
The loanword is also used figuratively to mean agility in dealing with tasks or social situations, often combined with 軽い (light).
彼はフットワークが軽いから、どんな仕事もすぐ片付ける。
He has light footwork, so he finishes any job quickly.
Means 'quick-witted' or 'resourceful', capturing the mental agility implied by figurative footwork.
彼女は機転が利くので、難しい交渉も上手くまとめた。
She has good footwork, so she handled the difficult negotiation well.
彼はフットワークが軽いから、飲み会の誘いにもすぐ来る。
He has light footwork, so he comes right away when invited for drinks.
彼はフットワークが軽いから、飲み会の誘いにもすぐ来る。
He has light footwork, so he comes right away when invited for drinks.