1.
national sport; national pastime
A sport considered to be representative of a nation's culture and identity. In Japan, sumo is often called the national sport.
A sport regarded as representative of a nation's culture and identity.
Cultural note
In Japan, 相撲 is widely called the 国技, though there is no law officially designating it as such. The association comes from the 国技館 (Kokugikan), the main sumo arena in 両国, Tokyo.
Common collocations
- 国技として親しまれる: to be beloved as a national sport
- 国技を守る: to preserve the national sport
- 国技館: the national sport arena (Kokugikan)
Forms
国 (country) + 技 (skill, art).