Etymology Map
Back to all words

Jiu-jitsu

2 stages from Japanese to English.

Today it means a martial art and combat sport built around grappling, joint locks, and submissions

Where does the word "jiu-jitsu" come from? It comes from Japanese jūjutsu, adopted directly into English (1870s-1900s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
jūjutsu
Japanese · 1600s-1800s
"the gentle/yielding art of grappling"
coined for the samurai art of unarmed combat, literally 'gentle technique'
2
Stage 2 of 2
jiu-jitsu
English · 1870s-1900s
"a Japanese grappling-based martial art"
borrowed as Western visitors and demonstrators popularized Japanese unarmed combat
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom