Translations and Useful Phrases
This is a small glossary of words and phrases commonly used in our classes. More extensive glossaries are widely available, including the excellent
Stanford Jujitsu Club glossary and the scholarly
Arlington Budoshin JuJitsu Dojo terminology reference.
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
- 1
- Ichi
- 2
- Ni
- 3
- San
- 4
- Shi, yo, yon
- 5
- Go
- 6
- Roku
- 7
- Shichi, nanae
- 8
- Hachi
- 9
- Ku
- 10
- Ju
- 11
- Ju-ichi
- 12
- Ju-ni
- 13
- Ju-san
- 14
- Ju-shi
- 15
- Ju-go
- 16
- Ju-roku
- 17
- Ju-shichi
- 18
- Ju-hachi
- 19
- Ju-ku
- 20
- Ni-ju
- Ashi
- Leg.
- Bo
- Staff.
- Bokken
- Wooden practice sword, also known as bokuto.
- Chudan
- Middle.
- Dachi
- Stance.
- Dan
- Level of black belt, from first dan to tenth dan.
- Dojo
- School or training hall.
- Domo arigatou gonzaimashita
- Ritual phrase said at the end of each class. Humorously translated as "thank you very much (for beating me up)."
E
- Empi
- Elbow.
- Empi-uchi
- Elbow strike.
F
G
- Gedan
- Low.
- Gi
- Martial arts uniform.
- Gatame
- Arm bar.
- Gyaku
- Reverse (also opposite side/direction).
H
- Hanshi
- Senior expert; 'teacher of teachers.' A title bestowed on the most advanced practitioners.
- Hai
- Yes.
- Hidari
- Left.
I
J
- Jodan
- High.
K
- Kano
- Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo, which he adapted from Ju-Jitsu.
- Kata
- Specific set of techniques.
- Katana
- Mid-sized Japanese sword.
- Kiai
- Literally, shout. Used in martial arts to startle and demoralize the opponent, prevent having one's wind knocked out during falls, and provide support while striking.
- KOSTO
- Five basic throws: Kubi nage, O goshi, ippon Seoinage, Tai otoshi, and O soto gari.
- Kote
- Forearm.
- Kumite
- Sparring.
- Kyu
- Rank of belt lower than Shodan, counting down to the black belts.
L
M
- Mae-geri
- Front snap kick.
-
- Mawashi-geri
- Roundhouse kick.
- Men
- Head.
- Migi
- Right (as opposed to left, rather than as opposed to wrong.)
- Mokuso
- Meditation.
N
- Nage
- Throw.
O
- Obi
- Belt.
P
Q
R
- Randori
- Free exercise
- Rei
- Bow.
S
- Sankyu
- Squatting.
- Seiza
- Literally, 'correct sitting.' A traditional, formal kneeling posture.
- Sensei
- Teacher.
- Shihan
- Chief instructor; not related to level of belt.
- Shinai
- Bamboo practice sword used for safe full contact strikes.
- Shodan
- First degree black belt.
T
- Tachi
- Standing.
- Te
- Hand.
- Te-kubi
- Wrist.
- Tori
- The person who does the technique.
U
- Uke
- The person who receives the technique.
- Ukemi
- Fall.
V
W
- Wakizashi
- Short sword.
- Waza
- Literally, technique. Also, a competition where a single person is attacked by one or more other people and must defend themself with a variety of techniques.
X
Y
- Yoko
- Side.
Z
- Zenkutsu Dachi
- Forward stance.
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Maintained by Scott
Last Modified - 30 Sep 2008