Meaning

Primary

Yokozuna

Alternatives

Sumo Grand Champion, Highest Rank In Sumo

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The "side rope." This doesn't make much sense. What this is, though (you'll want to look at the reading), is a Yokozuna. This is a Sumo Grand Champion.

横綱 refers to the highest rank in sumo wrestling, because the champion sumo wrestler wears a thick ceremonial rope around their waist. The word can also be used more broadly to describe someone at the very top of their field, like ラーメン界の横綱 (the king of ramen).

Reading

よこづな
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The readings are the ones you learned with the kanji. Just watch out for the rendaku that makes the part づな.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 元横綱

    former yokozuna

    名横綱

    renowned yokozuna

    新横綱

    newly promoted yokozuna

    歴代横綱

    yokozuna of all generations

    東西横綱

    east and west yokozuna

Context Sentences

彼はついに横綱になった。

He finally became a yokozuna.

横綱には、強さだけじゃなく品格も求められるんです。

A yokozuna is expected to have not only strength, but also dignity.

ワニカニは漢字学習業界の横綱だ。

WaniKani is the yokozuna of the kanji learning industry.

Kanji Composition