Terminology
| Japanese | English |
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| Ai | Harmony |
| Aikido | The way of harmony. |
| Aite | Opponent |
| Arashi | Storm |
| Arigato | Thank you |
| Ashi | Foot |
| Ashi kubi | Ankle |
| Ashi kunnuki | Indian death lock |
| Atemi | Strike (techniques that forcefully attack a vulnerable point.) |
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| Basami | Scissor technique |
| Bo | Long staff |
| Bo-jitsu | Staff techniques |
| Bokken | Wooden practise sword |
| Bunkai | Application of form |
| Bushi | Warrior class of Japan |
| Bushido | The Way of the Warrior |
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| Chi | Energy |
| Choku | Straight |
| Choku tsuki | Straight punch |
| Choshi | Rhythm |
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| Dachi | Stance |
| Daisho | Two swords - katana & wakizashi. |
| Dan | Step (Black belts are ranked in dans - from first dan). |
| De ashi barai | Forward foot sweep |
| De ashi harai | Advancing foot sweep |
| Do jime | Scissor with the legs |
| Dojo | The area used for martial arts practise. | Dokyoo | Spirit - courage. Part of the SCI ethos is based in developing the individual's sense of self-worth and individuality. |
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| Empi | Elbow |
| Empi uchi | Elbow strike |
| Eri | Collar/lapel |
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| Fudoshin | Storm |
| Furi zuki | Imperturbable mind |
| Fusagi | Defence |
| Fusagi kata | Defence technique |
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| Ganmen | Face |
| Gari | Reap (sweeping leg movement) |
| Gatame | Hold - arm bar |
| Geashi | Reversal |
| Gedan juji uke | Lower X block |
| Gedan shuto uke | Lower knife hand block |
| Geri | Kick |
| Gi | Practise outfit (pronounced gee) |
| Gohon | Five finger strike |
| Guruma | Wheel -turning the attacker on his axis (painful!) |
| Goshi | Hip (hip throw). |
| Gyaku zuki | Reverse punch. |
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| Hadaka | Naked (techniques which make no use of the attacker's clothing). |
| Hadari | Left |
| Hajime! | Begin! (start fighting). |
| Haijai | Almost |
| Haishu | Back of the hand |
| Hakama | Split dress pants - popular amongst aikidoka. |
| Hapkido | Modern Korenan martial art. |
| Hara | Belly |
| Hari Goshi | Sweeping loin |
| Henka waza | Change of technique |
| Hikiwake | Tie/draw |
| Hiza | Knee |
| Hiza Garuma | Knee Wheel |
| Hon | Fingers |
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| Inyo | Active and passive |
| Ippon | One - point score |
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| Jeet kune do | The Way Of The Intercepting Fist. A style of Kung Fu formulated by Bruce Lee, based on the Wing Chun style |
| Jigo | Defence |
| Jigo tai | Defensive posture |
| Jime | Strangle |
| Jitsu | Technique/Study of. Also spelt jutsu. |
| Jo | Short staff (about 1.3m) |
| Jodan juji uke. | High X block |
| Ju-jitsu | The gentle art |
| Judo | The gentle way. A sport based on ju-jitsu. |
| Jodo | The way of the short stick. |
| Joseke | Upper side - place of higher grades in the dojo. (Lit. settled stones) |
| Juji | Cross |
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| Kaeshi waza | Counter (move the energy of an attack into the first part of your defence). |
| Kagi tsuki | Hook punch |
| Kancho | Leader, owner |
| Kani basami | Crab claw scissors |
| Kansetsu waza | Joint locking techniques |
| Kata | Form (pre-set series of moves to perfect posture & technique). |
| Kata | Shoulder |
| Katana | Samurai sword |
| Kendo | The way of the sword |
| Ken-jutsu | Sword techniques |
| Keri | Kicking |
| Kesa gatame | Scalf hold |
| Ki ai | A shout. Lit Spirit meeting. |
| Kiba dachi | Horse stance |
| Kiritsu | Stand to attention |
| Ki o tsuke! | Attention! Brace yourself. |
| Ko | Minor |
| Ko soto gari | Minor outside reap |
| Kote gaeshi | Wrist twist throw (number one) |
| Kubi | Neck |
| Kuzushi | Disturbing balance |
| Kyu | Student (pronounced kew) |
| Kyusho | Vital point |
| Kyusho jitsu | Vital point striking |
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There is no word in Japanese that starts with the letter L. |
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| Ma | Straight |
| Mae geri keage | Front snap kick |
| Mae hadaka jime | Front naked strangle |
| Maki komi | Winding throw |
| Maki | Roll |
| Mattae! | Stop! |
| Mawashi geri | Roundhouse kick |
| Migi | Right (hand side) |
| Migi | Right hand side |
| Mikazuki geri | Crescent kick |
| Morote tsuki | Double forward fist strike |
| Mudansha | non black belt |
| Mushin | Lit Mind of no mind |
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| Nage | Throw - or thrower |
| Natsu geiko | Summer training |
| Necho | Cat |
| Necho asho dachi | Cat stance |
| Nin-jitsu | The Art of the assassin |
| Nippon | Japan |
| Nunchaku | Rice flails |
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| O | Major |
| O'goshi | Major hip throw | O'sensei | Great teacher. Reserved for the few |
| Obi | Belt |
| Ooooooooos | The only thing a student may say to sensei before reaching brown belt. |
| Osu | Push |
| Otagi ni rei | Bow to dojo and all assembled. |
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| Plums | Family jewels |
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There is no word in Japanese that starts with the letter Q |
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| Randori | Free practise (sparring). Lit. Walking through chaos. Not to be confused with tandoori. |
| Rei | Bow (as a form of respect/courtesy). |
| Ritsurei | Formal standing rei. Also Zarei=Formal sitting rei. |
| Ryu (roo) | School or style |
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| Saho | Etiquette. |
| Samurai | Japanese warrior class. Literally one who serves. |
| Satori | Enlightenment. Understanding. Self-realisation |
| Seio nage | Shoulder throw - may be ippon (one armed), or moroto (two armed). |
| Senaka | The back |
| Sensei | Teacher (strictly third dan or higher - can refer to any black belt.) Lit One who goes before |
| Shihan | Master teacher (normally 5th dan or higher). |
| Shime | Choke |
| Shomen | Front or top of head. Also the designated front of a dojo. |
| Shuto | Knife hand |
| Sode | Sleeve |
| Sokë | Founder (pronounced so key). |
| Soto | Outside |
| Sutemi | Sacrifice |
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| Tachi waza | Standing techniques |
| Tanto | Dagger |
| Tanto dori. | Techniqes against a knife attack. |
| Tia otoshi | Body drop |
| Tai-sabaki | Avoidance - move away from an attack. |
| Tatami | Mats (used in the dojo) |
| Tawara gaeshi | Rice bale |
| Te | Hand |
| Teisho uchi | Palm heel strike |
| Tori | Defender |
| Tomeo nage | Stomach throw. Lit Circle throw |
| Toza Inu | Japanese mastiff - fighting dog |
| Tsukuri | Destroying balance |
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| Uchi | Inside |
| Ude Garami | Entangle Arm lock |
| Ukemi | Breakfall |
| Ura | Rear |
| Uke | Attacker |
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There is no word in Japanese that starts with the letter V. |
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| Wakizashi | Second (half) sword |
| Waza | Technique |
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| High X block | Jodan juji uke. |
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| Yamma arashi | Mountain storm |
| Yamme! | Wait! (pronounced ya may) |
| Yawara | Archaic name for ju-jitsu. |
| Yoko | Side |
| Yoi | Ready |
| Yudancha | The collective noun for all dan grades present. |
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| Za | Kneeling sit |
| Zanshin | Lit. remaining mind/heart. Even after a Ju-jitsu technique has been completed, one should remain in a balanced and aware state. |
| Zori | Sandles (worn off the mat). |
| Zubon | Pants/Trousers |
In the Japanese language there is no use of the "s" at the end of a word to indicate plural.