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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