Aikido Terminology

List of Aikido Terminology, Words & Commands

Here are some of the key words, terms and commands used in Aikido. This martial arts style uses Japanese words and commands. In addition, you will find the Japanese name for individual techniques in the main Aikido Techniques section. If you want to learn how to count in Japanese for Aikido, please visit the Aikido Numbers page.

To hear the proper pronunciation for many of these words, please watch the videos below.

Amazon – Aikido Books

Terms & Commands used in Aikido

  1. Attacker or Person receiving the technique from the Tori – Uke
  2. Attention – Keiotsuke
  3. Backward – Ushiro
  4. Begin or Start – Hajime
  5. Block – Uke
  6. Blocking Techniques – Uke Waza
  7. Body Movement – Tai Sabaki
  8. Bow – Rei
  9. Chest – Mune
  10. Corner Throw – Sumi Nage
  11. Counter Techniques – Kaeshi Waza
  12. Defender or Person applying the technique to the attacker (Uke) – Tori
  13. Dislocation Techniques – Kansetsu Waza
  14. Entering Throw – Irimi Nage
  15. Form or Pattern – Kata
  16. Hand – Te
  17. Hip Throw – Koshi Nage
  18. Kick – Geri or Keri
  19. Knee Walking – Shikko
  20. Knife (Wooden) – Tanto
  21. Martial Arts School – Dojo
  22. No – Iie
  23. Opposite (i.e. Opposite Hand) – Hantai
  24. Pinning Techniques – Katame Waza
  25. Please – Dozo
  26. Punch – Tsuki or Zuki
  27. Sit Down – Suwatte
  28. Stop – Yame
  29. Staff (Wooden) – Jo (short staff) or Bo (long staff)
  30. Stance – Daichi
  31. Striking Techniques – Uchi Waza
  32. Sword (Wooden) – Bokken
  33. Teacher/Instructor – Sensei
  34. Throwing Techniques – Nage Waza
  35. Turn Around – Mawatte
  36. Thank You (Formal) – Domo Arigato
  37. Thank You (Informal) – Domo
  38. Uniform – Gi
  39. Uniform Pants – Hakama
  40. Wrist – Kote
  41. Wrist Turn-Out – Kote Gaeshi
  42. Yes – Hai (Hi)

Aikido Terminology