noun
kyu
noun
1
A rank or grade below black belt in Japanese martial arts and similar disciplines, also used in the game of go.
"He tested for his third kyu at the dojo last weekend."
"In go, a beginner might start around 20 kyu and work down toward 1 kyu before reaching dan level."
How to Use Kyu
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA student-level rank in martial arts or go, counting down toward black-belt or dan status.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
kyus plural
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He tested for his third _____ at the dojo last weekend.
Etymology
From Japanese 級 (kyū), meaning "grade" or "class."