Terminology
The following is a guide to Japanese words and phrases commonly used in the dojo.
Pronunciation
| a | like “ah” |
| e | like the “ay” in “pay” |
| i | like the “ee” in “speed” |
| o | like “o” in “so” |
| u | like the “oo” in “mood” |
Aikido Terminology – Counting
| Ichi | One |
| Ni | Two |
| San | Three |
| Shi/Yon | Four |
| Go | Five |
| Roku | Six |
| Shichi/Nana | Seven |
| Hachi | Eight |
| Kyu/Ku | Nine |
| Ju | Ten |
Phrases and Words
| Onegaishimasu | “Please do this for me.” Used at start of class or training with a partner. |
| Arigato gozaimashita | Formal “thank you.” |
| Domo arigato gozaimashita | Very formal “thank you very much.” |
| Hai | Yes |
| Sensei | Teacher – “one who has come before” |
| Shihan | Master teacher (6th Dan and above) |
| Doshu | Head of Aikikai Foundation |
| Sempai | Senior student |
| Tori/Nage | One who executes the technique |
| Uke | One who receives the technique |
| Budo | Martial way |
| Bushido | Way of the warrior |
| Rei | Respect, Bow |
| Takemusu Aiki | Spontaneous technique |
| Ki | Vital energy |
| Kiai | Shout or projection of Ki |
| Ki no Nagare | Flowing motion |
| Hara | Center of the body |
| Kokyu-ryoku | Breath power |
| Te-gatana | Hand blade |
| Dojo | Training hall |
| Keiko | Practice |
| Gi | Training outfit |
| Kyu | Ranks before black belt |
| Dan | Black belt ranks |
Stances and Movement
| Hanmi | Aikido stance – one foot forward |
| Tai Sabaki | Body movement |
| Tenkan | Pivot motion |
| Irimi | Entering movement |
| Shikko | Knee-walking |
| Ai Hanmi | Same stance |
| Gyaku Hanmi | Opposite stance |
| Hanmi Handachi | One standing, one seated |
| Suwari | Both seated |
Exercises
| Funakogi Undo | Boat rowing exercise |
| Menuchi Ikkyo Undo | Blocking drill |
| Sayu Undo | Side-to-side drill |
| Tai Sabaki Tenkan | Pivot movement |
| Kokyu-ho | Breathing method |
| Kokyu-dosa | Breathing movement |
| Misogi | Purification breathwork |
Falling
| Ukemi | Rolling/falling safety techniques |
| Mae Ukemi | Forward roll |
| Ushiro Ukemi | Back roll |
| Yoko Ukemi | Side roll |
| Tobi Ukemi | Breakfall |
Attacks
| Katate Dori | Same-side wrist grab |
| Tagaite Dori | Cross-hand grab |
| Ryote Dori | Two-hand wrist grab |
| Morote Dori | Both hands on one wrist |
| Kata Dori | Shoulder grab |
| Sode Dori | Sleeve grab |
| Mune Dori | Chest/front gi grab |
| Shomen Uchi | Overhead strike |
| Yokomen Uchi | Side head strike |
| Tsuki | Thrust/punch |
| Ushiro Ryote Dori | Rear wrist grab |
| Ushiro Kubishime | Rear choke |
Techniques
| Omote Waza | Front-side techniques |
| Ura Waza | Rear-side techniques |
| Tachi Waza | Standing techniques |
| Suwari Waza | Seated techniques |
| Hanmi Handachi Waza | Seated vs. standing |
| Kaeshi Waza | Counter techniques |
| Atemi | Strike techniques |
| Ikkyo | Arm pin |
| Nikyo | Wrist twist |
| Shiho Nage | Four direction throw |
| Kote Gaeshi | Wrist reversal throw |
Weapons
| Aikiken / Aikijo | Sword and staff practice |
| Kenjutsu | Sword art |
| Bokken | Wooden sword |
| Jo | Staff |
| Tanto | Wooden knife |
| Ken Tai Jo | Sword vs. staff |