相撲

Etymology

 * “sumo”

Noun

 * 1) mutually rushing at; fighting
 * 2) xiangpu
 * 3) sumo

Etymology 1


Derived from verb, modern.

There are two leading theories regarding the derivation:
 * May be a nominalization of the and  sumapu:


 * May be an instance of, found in terms with bilabial consonants followed by i:

That said, the nominalization of terminal/attributive verb forms is quite rare in Japanese, whereas the “u” sound shift pattern is not uncommon.

The kanji spelling is either from the native sumai or Sino-Japanese sōboku readings below.

Noun

 * 1) sumo Japanese traditional wrestling
 * : a sumo wrestler
 * 1)    : in the, a special ceremonial sumo match held in July to help ensure a good harvest
 * 1)    : in the, a special ceremonial sumo match held in July to help ensure a good harvest
 * 1)    : in the, a special ceremonial sumo match held in July to help ensure a good harvest

Idioms

 * : “if the sumo [wrestlers] run out, the referee comes out and [you] fall” → if you beat all worthy opponents and then lose your edge, you can be beaten even by someone who would normally have been no challenge
 * : “to win at the sumo, but lose the match” → performing well, but ultimately failing
 * : “to not become sumo” → to not be worthy of a match, to be so mismatched to not be a contest
 * : “to lose at sumo and slap one's wife's face” → the weak turn on the weaker
 * : “the extreme of sumo is a fight, and the extreme of gambling is a theft” → a warning not to lose oneself in one's activities
 * : “take a stand even when in sumo” → show involvement even for a while
 * : “take sumo” → compete in sumo

Etymology 2
→ * → →  →

The of  verb, modern , likely derived in turn from verb  as the  suma + auxiliary verb  → “on the verge of being settled” → “to be in competition”.

The kanji spelling is an.

Noun

 * 1)  a competition of power and skill, similar to modern-day sumo
 * : a sumo wrestler
 * 1)    : in the, a special ceremonial sumo match held in July to help ensure a good harvest
 * 1)    : in the, a special ceremonial sumo match held in July to help ensure a good harvest
 * 1)    : in the, a special ceremonial sumo match held in July to help ensure a good harvest

Etymology 3
→ →

shift from sumō above.

Etymology 4
→ →

From.

Noun

 * 1)  a competition of power and skill, similar to modern-day sumo

Etymology
The of verb, likely derived in turn from verb  as the  suma + auxiliary verb.

The kanji spelling is an.

Noun

 * 1) a competition of power and skill, similar to modern-day sumo