Naming system of Judo techniques

Question

Is there a system to the way judo techniques are named? Many techniques seem to share components of names (harai, guruma, gaeshi etc) - is there a standard uniform way these words should be interpreted as describing these techniques, or are they context dependent?

Answer 1

The Kodokan New Japanese-English Dictionary of Judo has entries on most verbs used in technique names:

Word	Definition	Examples
haneru	(to spring/jump) A situation in which the powerful effect of a hane goshi or uchimata sends your opponent's body high into the air.	hane-goshi, hane-makikomi
harau	(to sweep) To throw by acting on your opponent's feet, legs, or trunk with a sweeping type motion.	harai-goshi, harai-tsumikomi-ashi, de-ashi-barai, okuri-ashi-barai
hikikomu	(to pull into) To pull your opponent into a particular position, particularly as a way of moving into mat-work (newaza).	hikikomi-gaeshi
kaesu	(to reverse; to counterattack) To stop an opponent's attack and then execute an attack or counterattack of your own.	osoto-gaeshi, ouchi-gaeshi, kouchi-gaeshi, tsubame-gaeshi, hane-goshi-gaeshi, harai-goshi-gaeshi, uchi-mata-gaeshi kibisu-gaeshi, obi-tori-gaeshi, sumi-gaeshi, hikikomi-gaeshi, tawara-gaeshi
karu	(to reap) To sweep your opponent's feet, legs, or hips out from under him using reaping motions of your feet and legs.	osoto-gari, kosoto-gari, ouchi-gari, kouchi-gari
katameru	(to pin; to hold down) To use a hold-down technique to pin your opponent's body, or a portion of his body, in such a way that his freedom of movement is controlled and he is unable to move.	katame-waza
makikomu	(to wrap) To throw in such a way that part of your opponent's body wraps around yours as part of your technique, a common element in many sacrifice techniques.	osoto-makikomi, hane-makikomi, harai-makikomi, uchi-mata-makikomi, kouchi-makikomi, soto-makikomi, uchi-makikomi
nageru	(to throw) In judo the use of the hands, hips, feet and legs in a coordinated fashion and in accordance with the principles of physics in such a way that you cause your opponent to fall or roll forward, backward, or to the side.	nage-waza, seoi-nage, sukui-nage, ura-nage, tomoe-nage
osaekomu	(to hold down) To hold your opponent down on the mat from above so as to render him unable to move.	osaekomi-waza
osaeru	(to hold down) To face your opponent and hold him down on the mat so as to render him unable to move.
sasaeru	(to support; to block) To use your feet, legs, or hips to block an opponent's attempts to move his body or a part of his body freely.	sasae-tsurikomi-ashi
seou	(to load something onto your back) To load your opponent onto your hips and/or back.	ipponzeoi-nage, seoi-nage, seoi-otoshi
shimeru	(to strangle; to choke) To apply pressure to your opponent's neck using your hands, arms, legs, or by manipulating his collar or lapel.	shime-waza, hadaka-jime
taosu	(to throw down) To throw down or otherwise defeat your opponent.	kuchiki-taoshi
tsurikomu	(to lift and pull) To use lifting and pulling movements of the sleeve hand (hikite) and collar hand (tsurite) in order to "float" your opponent forward.	tsurikomi-goshi, sode-tsurikomi-goshi, sasae-tsurikomi-ashi, harai-tsurikomi-ashi
ukasu	(to float something upwards) To lift and pull your own body or your opponent's body in a way that it becomes nearly weightless for an instant.	uki-goshi, uki-otoshi, uki-waza, uki-gatame

Note that technique names usually employ the continuative tense of the verb (ending -i / -e), but the infinitive (generally in -u) is listed here.

Answer 2

In judo the application of the techniques is done with a preponderance of one limb. That is clear. The classification of the techniques accounts for that. So there are groups of main activity of applying fulcrums like:

• Te waza, Ashi waza, koshi waza

or after the direction of falls:

• sutemi waza, uki waza, makikomi waza