Har inte gått nån kurs eller så men har haft ganska mycket kontakt med japaner genom jobbet så en del ord, mest artighetsfraser och sånt, har man snappat upp.

<p>Even the longest journey begins with the first step.</p><p>I don't think your first step course will help you understand judo terminology, but it is a necessary first step.</p><p>I imagine you will be taught things like, Hello, nice to meet you, how are you etc. etc.</p><p>Judo terminology and japanese are not always easy to follow.</p><p>E.g. most people think that &quot;sono mama&quot; means &quot;lie still&quot; or &quot;don't move&quot; or &quot;freeze&quot;</p><p>This is not the case. It means &quot;continue doing the same as now&quot;</p><p>If the referee has gotten you and your opponent to lie still and then he says &quot;sonomama&quot; it means continue lying still.</p><p>If a japanese opponent was punching you (a thing that he probably wouldn't do) and the referee shouted &quot;sonomama&quot; thinking it meant &quot;freeze&quot; he would be shocked. Your japanese opponent would continue punching you, because the referee had told him to continue doing what he was doing at that moment in time.</p><p>From one to the other - Tero's advice about Tony O is good. Tony is a person with a sound academic background in japanese and who also has deep judo knowledge.</p><p>Good luck with your first step.</p>