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 |