力士(りきし)

りきし
noun
sumo wrestler
1. sumo wrestler
A professional sumo wrestler. Literally 'strong man' or 'man of power.' Used specifically for those competing in professional sumo.
力士(りきし)に会(あ)った。
I met a sumo wrestler.
力士(りきし)は毎日(まいにち)稽古(けいこ)する。
Sumo wrestlers practice every day.
あの力士(りきし)は横綱(よこづな)を目指(めざ)している。
That sumo wrestler is aiming to become a yokozuna (grand champion).

力士(りきし) specifically refers to professional sumo wrestlers — those registered with the Japan Sumo Association (日本(にほん)相撲(すもう)協会(きょうかい)).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 人気(にんき)力士(りきし): popular sumo wrestler
  • 外国人(がいこくじん)力士(りきし): foreign sumo wrestler
  • 幕内(まくうち)力士(りきし): top-division wrestler
  • 力士(りきし)の体(からだ): a wrestler's body

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 相撲取(すもうと)り: sumo wrestler (casual, everyday)
  • 関取(せきとり): ranked wrestler (only those in the 十両(じゅうりょう) division or above)
  • お相撲(すもう)さん: sumo wrestler (polite/friendly, often used by children)

CULTURAL NOTE:
力士(りきし) live and train in communal stables called 部屋(へや) (相撲(すもう)部屋(べや)). The word literally means "strong man" (力(ちから) + 士(し)).

general
Added 2026.2.5 17:37 · Revised 2026.3.28 12:50
10000/10115_rikishi