Terminology: Osu, Ous, Ossu ???

kotegashiNeo · Blue Belt

I think it stems from the ignorence of not knowing what actually say. People in a dojo will use it as yes, when hai is the correct word. When bowing to a partner say onegashimas or please teach me then at the end say domo arigato gozimashita, or thank you very much. Osu is not incorrect but it sounds so dumb.
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Knockdown · Orange Belt

ESA-Shotokan · Orange Belt

I use "Oss" with the KUGB but none of the above

Sasori_Te · Black Belt

I try to stay away from Okinawan and Japanese terms in class. I cover them from time to time in case we have a guest come in to teach but I feel there are too many mistakes floating around out in the martial arts world as far as pronunciation and translation goes. I'm American and I figure it's better to stick to what you know for certain. I also have a habit of asking about words that I'm not completely sure of. I copy down the spellings, as best as I can get them, and I look them up on my own. After looking up Osu i discovered that it is a rude Japanese term mainly used by school aged boys.
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aefibird · Black Belt

If your sensei /school uses Osu a lot then it is probably best to 'go with the flow' and say whatever your sensei says.
Just remember that using Hai instead of Osu is more correct and if you want to use Japanese terms then, like KotegashiNeo wrote, Onegashimas and Domo Arigato Gozimashita are the correct terms to use.
If is serious doubt then stick to English, or your native language, if you don't understand Japanese well enough. If all else fails, don't say anything!!
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equaninimus · Purple Belt

At teh JKA Hombu I only heard "Osu!" when two old-boys types greeted each other, and then only as an initial greeting. In Okinawa this past Summer I never heard it.
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xianzhong · White Belt

Oooos, Ossu, Ossss - Origins - from GojuRyu.net

What on earth is going on with so many Karatedo practitioner sounding like Chinese fortune cookies? Who started this Ossu thing anyway? In this installments commentary, we embark [again] with hopes to settle the claims of “OSSU!”

So picture this, I walk into a friends Dojo. He is originally from Hawaii and of Japanese Decent. "Oooossu!" I hear, as his students pause class turn and bow to me. As a polite gesture I bow in return and have a seat until the end of his class. He gives me our common ‘what’s up’ nod of his head after he bows with his students however both he and I are the only that did not make the unfruitful phrase “Ooosssssu”. While pondering the differences of his style and my own (his being Shotokan and I Goju Ryu) I also notice how many times some of the students state the phrase “Ossu”. After a while it starts to get ridiculous. These people are using this hissing statement as a shortened answer for everything from yes, hello, goodbye, I understand, thank you, good technique… shall I go on?, you have body odor, etc... I continue to observe that the white belts in the back of class are totally unfamiliar with the term, and as the rank of the class goes up so does the multiple uses of their over loving “Ossu”! It’s getting to the end of class now and I’m now feeling constipated from all the undue stress of hearing this term used so liberally. Class ends, the students bow out of class with an “OSSU” for every movement, dress and before exiting two more “Ossu”, one to me and one while exiting the door. I stop one of the Nidan students just as he is about to blurt out his ‘courteous’ “OSSU” to me and ask him first if that is what he is going to say. Of course he answers yes and so goes the rest of the story.

What is “Ossu”, and why are so many yelling it at each-other? How many terms and words can one syllable define? What is the source of “the word”? Have you ever noticed that when people (who have never been) return from training in Japan, the term has been relatively dropped from their vocabulary? I’m going to answer the questions and in detail. Perhaps to such an extent that many are going to disagree but hey, I’ve been saying the F*** word half my life and I’m not giving up that word either! You’ll just have to trust me on this one that what you think you are saying is not what your saying at all. I’m not going to explain how to pronounce it because it is generally ‘slang’ and bad slang at that. Now that I am a mature young man (at least I think so) I’m not going to be the one to teach the bad habits. Think of this, would walk around in your dojo saying the F-word. Essentially when you say “Ossu” that is what you are doing (but not to that extreme).

What is the source of “the word”?
Once I was smacked in the back of the head at a friends house when I was younger because of something or other that I was doing. His Oba-chan always explained her reasons for punishments upon awarding them. Afterwards she verbalized (much more harshly) her grandson - that the same went for him and she didn’t want to hear him saying that “Drunk mans Japanese” word while she or any other woman was around and continued with the standard always memorable phrase “what kind of grandson are you?" (I've heard that one before), I knew what comment she was speaking of but why, no-one had [up to that point] ever explained to me. I blurted out something in a manner that would require a reaction (and hopefully verbal instead of another smack in the head). This came about as a much appreciated opportunity to sit with the younger generation and school us on etiquette. As Oba-chan enjoyed telling us the many stories of the old days in Japan we were commonly fond of, while she prepared lunch in the kitchen (our real purpose for listening).

Oba-chan also explained two reasons and I have heard both reasons repeated several times since her explanation. The first of which had to do with those drunken Military men again. She says that back in her day, anything military was the cool thing to do and Drunk Military men were common. Exiting the bars at all hours of the morning these men would mumble “Onegaishimasu” whenever upon their comrades or just a personal ‘Ohayo’ upon seeing more personal acquaintances however the words never did quite come out that way. If you or I poured out of a bar at 3:00 am and stumbled upon a group of comrades, how would “Onegaishimasu” come out of our mouths? But of course a garbled “Ossu” or possibly worse.

The second source of “Ossu” as explained was the ‘Macho-man’ word. According to Oba-chan and many others, she expressed to us that “Ossu” [again] originated from the term Onegaishimasu. She continued that “Ossu”, as many words or terms in Japanese, is the combination of more than one word, which is common in spoken Japanese grammar. This would make sense if theorized in Japan culture where many people are short on time and in passing. However it would only be acceptable from man to man and definitely not from woman to woman or man to woman. It is still considered impolite and vulgar. It’s like walking by your mother or lover and shouting “YO”. Just not the right thing to say however if considered in that way, it is appropriate (somewhat) to use [I reiterate] in passing. In particular in passing during athletic activities but not organized activities such as Karatedo or any budo for that matter. It still remains the perfect word for tired athletes to say to each other perhaps after a football game when short of breath. Basically a ‘Macho-man’ word.

Have you ever noticed that when people (who have never been) return from training in Japan, the term has been relatively dropped from their vocabulary? I had never noticed until just this past year, but... I've never heard anyone in any dojo say "Ossu" other than the foreigners. I was oblivious to the void until one of the other students from my dojo who was there with me started the phrase on the first day of training. And by chance it was his first time there. Just as the "ooooo" started to creep out he caught his tongue because he was the only person about to make the statement. It took no explanation because he is more than an intelligent Goju Ryu player. I believe that the etiquette would have dictated that the word was inappropriate anyway. Besides, follow by the example and there were One Hundred other students there to set quite an example for him.

Ossu is considered impolite by Japanese. Especially directed or in the presence of women, it notates as quite insulting. I offer you this suggestion, when in Japan, especially for the first time, just follow the lead of the Japanese that might be there to help you. Using the term Ossu in inappropriate in the office, at the Hospital, in the Dojo, at the dinner table, in school, at church, during any ceremony or Reishiki. Just about any and everywhere.

So when is it acceptable to say it? When your in a hurry, out of breath, in passing and only to another male (not including the Dojo) in such places as the Gym (Golds, 24-hour fitness) while Jogging or in baseball when the other team in running to the infield and your headed to the outfield. Also, keep in mind "Ossu" is not only a derogatory word but an immature word as well. Most of those using the term are of the much younger generation and for the most part have little to no experience in Budo. Quite often they are younger than Twenty one years of age.

Great uses outside of Japan but not in front of Japanese!
Here is the catch - "Ossu" does generate spirit and comradery in the Dojo. I've seen and heard a championship national Kata team answer the sharpest "Ossu" upon the announcement of their Kata Unsu before bowing. [and they WERE good] As a universal expression of commitment and training "Ossu" has become part of at least half of the 'traditional' dojo that I know of today and will continue to do so. I am even aware of a Japanese Sensei whom promotes the use of "Ossu" in his classes, probably for his own reasons or because maybe his dojo was filled with men when he trained in Japan and his teacher accepted such behavior, however one of my Sensei is a woman and I'm sure I would receive another 'smack' in the back of the head if she heard me use such a term.

So is it OK to use the word?
Imagine being in Japan and hearing someone say "Dude" or "Sweet" every few moments because that was the primary word they heard in a move (anyone ever see "Dude, where's my car"?). You walk up to the cash register at Sunkus or 7-11 in Shinjyuku- Tokyo (yes there are thousands of 7-11 in Japan) and the long haired gent on the other side of the counters blurt our "Dude, Sweet" smiles and flashes you a peace sign. Later at Starbucks in Roppingi the waitress says the same thing and at the train station the 'Ticket cop' makes his peace sign "DUUUDDDEE, SWEEEEET!" and on and on. You and I both know that is now how intelligent people speak here in the states however they don't. Now switch places - starting to get the feel for our favourite word "Ossu"? Need I explain more?
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kotegashiNeo · Blue Belt

I am learning to speak japanese with help of audio cd's for a trip to okinawa that I plan on taking next year. THis cd's are most helpful with regards to pronounciation so it isn't a concern plus I think it adds a nice traditional air to a dojo when you hear proper japanese terminology and ettquite.
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equaninimus · Purple Belt

KGN, just be aware Okinawan Japanese pronunciations are quite different from "Tokyo Standard!" I speak Japanese, and had a hack of a time this past Summer.
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Girlfight · White Belt

What an interesting thread! I train at a karate school in western Japan and we use ossu A LOT ( ossu is the standard romanised spelling). If we say `hai` to my teacher or any other member of the club we get told off and told to say `ossu` instead. We are not allowed to say `hai`. We also use ossu as a greeting and say it before and after sparring. I`ve never been told it`s rude before, in fact in my dojo it`s considered the norm. We even have to use it when we send e-mails.

I have occasionally heard it used on the street and on TV, mostly between guys and it doesn`t seem to have caused offense. However, as was said, Okinawa is very different from mainland Japan and the language is very different, so the rules there may well be very different too.

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