相撲
also: すまい
Meanings
1
sumo; sumo wrestling
Refers to the Japanese wrestling sport, including both the traditional professional world and the act of wrestling in the sumo style. Common in phrases such as 相撲を取る and 相撲を見る.
I watched sumo on TV on Sunday.
The children are wrestling sumo in the ring.
2
abbreviation
Abbreviated use for 相撲取り, 'sumo wrestler.' It is more limited and context-dependent than 力士 or 相撲取り, and often appears in expressions such as 元相撲.
See also: 相撲取り
The shop owner is a former sumo wrestler and still has a big build.
元相撲 is sometimes used as an abbreviation of 元相撲取り, meaning a former sumo wrestler.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が相撲を見るto watch sumo (wrestling)
My grandfather likes watching sumo on TV.
- 元相撲a former sumo wrestler
He is a former sumo wrestler and now runs a restaurant.
- 相撲の稽古をするto practice/train in sumo
The wrestlers practice sumo every morning.
Expressions
- 相撲を取るtake part in sumo; wrestle in sumo · wrestle with; grapple with; contest an issue
- 相撲にならないis no match for; can't hold a candle to
- 人のふんどしで相撲を取るprofit at someone else's expense; use others' resources for one's own gain
- 相撲に勝って勝負に負けるwin the battle but lose the war; fail at the last moment despite an advantage
- 他人のふんどしで相撲を取るprofit at someone else's expense; use others' resources for one's own gain