Vowels are pronounced as in Spanish: A – ah, I – ee, U – oo, E – eh, O – oh

1. Basic Terms

2. People

3. Positions and Movements

4. Techniques

5. Attacks

6. Weapons

7. Parts of the Body

8. Attire

Aikido (Eye-key-doe): The way of life through harmony with the universe

Budo (Boo-doe): Warrior Way; group of disciplines that simultaneously teach martial technique and guide mental and spiritual development; the way of life through application of the principles of martial arts

Dojo (Doe-joe): Training hall

Domo arigatou gozaimasu (Doe-mo ah-ree-gah-toe go-zah-ee-mahs): Thank you very much

Kata (Kah-tah): Pre-arranged exercise that teaches basic forms and principles; also, the shoulder

Kamiza (Kah-me-zah): The focal point of the dojo in front of the tatami.

Kokyu (Koh-kyoo): Breath – energy/ki flow and the motions of the body unified by control of the breath; breathing; the rhythm of ki movement; breath power, the coordination of ki flow with breathing

Maai (Mah-ah-ee): Distance between uke and nage, meaning “harmony of space”

Nage (Nah-gay): The person who is attacked and performs the technique

Onegaishimasu (Oh-nay-guy-ee-shee-mahs): Please

Tatami (Tah-tah-me): The training mat

Uke (Oo-kay): Person who gives the attack and receives the technique

Ukemi (Oo-keh-me): The art of receiving the technique and falling away from harm. Includes rolling and break falls (high falls); “To receive through the body”

Waza (Wah-zah): Techniques or art

Zanshin (Zahn-shin): Unbroken awareness and concentration; unbroken spirit; the concentrated connection that remains with one’s partner even after the throw has been completed

1 Ichi, 2 Ni, 3 San, 4 Shi, 5 Go, 6 Rokku, 7 Shichi/Nana, 8 Hachi, 9 Kyu, 10 Ju

Doshu (Doe-shoe): The leader of the way (current leader of Aikido).

O-Sensei (Oh-sen-say): Great Teacher; Founder of Aikido – Morihei Ueshiba, 1883-1969

Sempai (Sem-pie): Senior student

Sensei (sen-say) Teacher, instructor

Shidoin (Shee-doe-een): Certified Instructor rank (4th or 5th Dan)

Shihan (Shee-han): Master Instructor (6th Dan and above) – A title reserved for the highest ranked teachers

Hidari (Hee-dah-ree): Left (direction)

Mae (Mah-ay): Front

Migi (Mee-gee): Right (direction)

Ushiro (Oo-shee-row): Back, behind, rear

Yoko (Yo-ko): Side

There are several opening movements that form the basis of most techniques:

Irimi (Ee-ree-me) Nage (thrower) enters by stepping or sliding forward

Tenkan (ten-kon) Nage turns

Tenshin (ten-sheen) Nage steps back

There are usually two ways to execute an attack

Omote (Oh-moe-tay): Moving in front (forward)

Ura (Oo-rah): Moving behind

Hanmi (Hon-me): Triangular ready stance with either left or right foot forward

• Ai hanmi (Eye-hon-me): Equal or mutual stance; Partners stand facing one another with the same foot forward, i.e. right/right
• Gyaku hanmi (Ghee-ah-koo hon-me): Opposite stance; partners stand with the opposite foot forward
• Hanmi Handachi (Hon-me Hon-dah-chee): Nage (thrower) is kneeling and Uke (the attacker), approaches from a standing position

Shikko (Shee-ko): Knee walking

Kyo (kio): Principle, learning.

• Ikkyo (Ee-kio): First principle – method of controlling opponent by cranking the arm & applying pressure to elbow
• Nikkyo (Nee-kio): Second principle – wrist-bending technique
• Sankyo (Son-kio): Third principle –wrist-twisting/pinning technique
• Yonkyo (Yon-kio): Fourth principle – controlling opponent by applying pressure to inner forearm
• Gokkyo (Go-kio): Fifth principle – wrist pinning technique

Iriminage (ee-ree-mee-nah-gay) Entering technique

Kokyunage (koh-kyoo-nah-gay): Breath throw or timing throw; often used for techniques that do not have a specific name

Kokyuho (ko-kyu-ho) Seated Kokyu exercise

Kotegaeshi (Koh-teh-guy-eh-shee): Wrist twisting technique

Shiho-nage (Shee-ho-nah-gay): Four directions throw

Sumi-otoshi: (su-me-oh-toe-shee): Corner drop throw

Suwari Waza (Sue-wah-ree Wah-zah): Sitting techniques

Tenchinage (Ten-shee-nah-gay): Heaven and earth throw; One hand points up, the other down

Randori (Ran-door-ri): Multiple person attack

Atemi (Ah-tem-ee): Defensive strike to the vital parts of the opponent’s body; striking techniques

Shomenuchi (Show-men-oo-chee): Strike to the top front of the head

Tsuki (Tsu-key): Thrust, punch

Yokomenuchi (Yoh-ko-men-oo-chee): Strike to the side of the head

Katatori (Kah-tah-toe-ree): Shoulder grab

Katatetori (Kah-tah-tay-toe-ree): Wrist grab

Morotetori (Moh-roh-tay-toe-ree): Attack holding one wrist/forearm with both hands

Ryotetori (Ree-oh-tay-toe-ree): Attack in which both wrists are held from the front

Ushiro Ryokatatori (Oo-shee-row Dyo-kah-tah-toe-ree): Both shoulders grabbed from behind

Ushiro Kubishime (Oo-shee-row Koo-bee-shee-may): Choking with one hand around the neck from the rear, usually while holding one wrist with the free hand

Ushiro Tekubitori (Oo-shee-row Tay-koo-be-toe-ree): Both wrists grabbed from behind

Bokken (Bow-ken): Wooden sword used in practice

Jo (Joe): Wooden staff approximately 50 inches in length

Tanto (Tahn-toe): Wooden knife; Knife or dagger

Jotori (Joe toe-ree): Jo disarming

Tachitori (Tah-chee toe-ree): Sword disarming

Tantotori (than-toe-toe-ree): Knife disarming

Ashi (Ah-she): Foot

Kata (Kah-tah): Shoulder

Koshi (Koh-shee): Hips, waist

Kubi (Koo-bee): Neck

Men (Men): Head

Te (Teh): Hand

Tekubi (Teh-koo-bee): Wrist

Gi (Ghee): Training uniform

Hakama (Hah-kah-mah): A divided, pant-like skirt worn by Yudansha

Obi (Oh-bee): Belt