It can be daunting to try to learn a martial art and it is even more frustrating to try to pick up some of the terminology that goes with this, so the terminology has been broken down to help you pronounce it. Good luck!

Note: We have done our best to try to get the contents of this list correct but if you the reader happens to know differently to some of the pronunciations then please let us know. Thanks

Aiki Jutsu Terms

Shiho Nage (she-ho na-gay) - Four Directional Throw

Kote Gaeshi (ko-tey guy-ash-ee) - Small Wrist Turn

Irimi Nage (ee-ree-me na-gay) - Enter Body Throw

Kaiten Nage (kite-en na-gay) - Spiral Throw

Tenchi Nage (ten-chee na-gay) - Heaven and Earth Throw

Ikkyo (ee-key-o) - First Principle.

Nikkyo (knee-key-o) - Second Principle.

Sankyo (san-key-o) - Third Principle.

Yonkyo (yon-key-o) - Fourth Principle

Irimi (ee-ree-me) – Positive (inside or to enter)

Tenkan (ten-can)– Negative (outside or to not enter)

Ju-do Terms

O-Goshi (o go-she) – Major Hip Throw

O-Soto-Gari (o so-toe ga-ree) – Major Outer Reaping Throw

Tai-Otoshi (tie o-toe-she) – Body Drop

Ippon-Sieo-Nage (ip-on sea-o na-gay) – One Armed Shoulder Throw

Tsuri-Komi-ashi (sue-ree ko-mee ash-ee) – Drawing Ankle Throw

Kubi-Nage (ku-bee na-gay) – Neck Throw

Kesa-Gatame (kay-sa ga-ta-may) – Scarf  Hold

Kata-Gatame (ka-ta ga-ta-may) – Shoulder Hold

Yoko-Shiho-Gatame (yo-ko she-ho ga-ta-may) – Side Four Quarters Hold

Tate-Shiho-Gatame (tat-ay she-ho ga-ta-may) – Vertical Four Quarters Hold

Kami-Shiho-Gatame (kar-mee she-ho ga-ta-may) – Upper Four Quarters Hold

Juji-Gatame (ju-jee ga-ta-may) – Cross Arm Lock

Okuri-Eri-Jime (o-kew-ree er-ee gee-me) – Sliding Collar Neck Lock

Kata-Ha-Jime (ka-ta ha gee-me) – Single Wing Choke

Hadka-Jime (ha-da-ka gee-me) – Naked Neck Lock

Uke Goshi (oo-key go-she) – Floating Hip Throw

Kime No Kata Terms

Kneeling – Idori (ee-do-ree)

Ryote-Dori (ri-o-toe do-ree) – Hold With Both Hands

Tsukkake (sue-k-ay-key) – Blow With Fist To Stomach

Suri-Age (sue-ree ag-ee) – Glancing Blow To Face

Yoko-Uchi (yo-ko oo-chee) – Blow From Side

Usihro-Dori (you-she-row do-or-ee) – Hold On Shoulders From Behind/Side

Tsukkomi (sue-k-o-mee) – Thrust With Knife To Stomach

Kiri-Komi (key-ri ko-me) – Cleave To Head With Knife (cut to head with blade of knife)

Yoko-Tsuki (yo-ko sue-key) – Axe Pick From Side

Standing – Tachi (ta-chee)

Ryote-Dori (ri-o-toe do-ree) – Hold With Both Hands

Sode-Tori (so-day toe-ree) – Hold On Sleeve

Tsukkake (sue-k-ay-key) – Blow With Fist To Stomach

Tsuki-Age (sue-key ag-ee) – Blow To Face

Suri-Age (sue-ree ag-ee) – Glancing Blow To Face

Yoko-Uchi (yo-ko oo-chi) – Blow From Side

Ke-Age (key ag-ee) – Kick To Lower Abdomen

Usihro-Dori (you-she-row do-or-ee) – Hold On Shoulders From Behind/Side

Tsukkomi  (sue-k-o-mee)– Thrust With Knife To Stomach

Kiri-Komi (key-ree ko-mee) – Cleave To Head With Knife (cut to head with blade of knife)

Nuke-Kake (new-key kay-key – Block Sword In Sheath

Kiri-Oroshi (key-ri o-ro-she) – To Cleave With Sword

Karate Terms

General terms.

Atemi-Waza (a-t-hey-me-wa-za) – Vulnerable Points Techniques

Atemi (a-t-hey-me) – Vulnerable Points.

Gi or DoGi (gee or dow-gee) – Martial Arts Suit

Hakama (hack-a-ma)– Skirt like Trousers (worn by advanced students and teachers)

Rei (ray) – Bow

Seize Rei (sez-a-ray)  – Kneeling Bow.

Ai (eye) – harmony

Ai-Hanami (eye han-am-me) – same stance as opponent

Bokken (bo-can) – wooden replica of katana

Bu Jutsu (boo jew-jut-sue) – Martial arts

Dan (dan) – Black Belt Ranking

Jo (jo) – 4 foot wooden staff

Ki (key) – Energy

Ma-ai (ma eye) – distance

Metsuki (met sue-key) – Focus

Morote-Dori (mo-rot-ay do-ree) – Two Handed Wrist Grab

Omote (o-mo-tey) – Infront

O’sensei (o sen-say) – Great Teacher

Sensei (sen-say) – one who has gone before

Soke (so-key) – Master Teacher and Founder. Also known as Soshu (so-shoe)

Hanshi (han-she) – Past Master

O’Hanshi (o han-she) – great past master

Seiza (say-sa) – sitting posture

Shikko (she-ko) - Knee Walking

Tanto (tan-toe) – Dagger/knife

Tori (toe-ree) – Person defending.

Ura (you-ra) – Rear

Zanshin (za-n-sh-in) – Awareness by spirit.

Tatami (ta-ta-me) – Mats, Matted Area

Bunkai (bun-k-eye) – Application.

Ashi-Sabaki (a-she sa-back-ee) – footwork

Batto (ba-toe) – Drawing a Sword.

Bushido (bush-ee-dow) – Way of the Samurai/ Warrior Code of Honour.

Do (dow) – Way of

Dojo (dow-jo) – Training Hall

Gishiki (gee-she-key) – Ritual

Ichi (itch-ee) – one

Ni (knee) – two

San (s-an) – three

Sei (s-ee) – four

Go (g-o) – five

Rokyu (rock-oo) – six

Shisi (she-she) – seven

Hatchi (ha-chee) – eight

Qu (que) - nine

Du (due) – ten

Hamon (ha-m-on) – cutting edge of the sword

Hara (ha-ra) – Stomach

Henka (hen-car) – Variations

Hidari (he-da-ree) – Left

Iai (eye-ay) – Fast Sword Techniques

Iai Jutsu (eye-ay jew-t-sue) – Fast Sword Fighting

Itto (it-toe) – one sword

Kabuto (car-boo-toe) – Helmet

Kamae (car-may) – Stance/Posture

Kata (ka-tar) – Form

Katana (ka-tan-ner) – Sword originally known as Katakiriba (ka-ta-key-ree-bar).

Ken (ken) – seeing (eyes)

Kendo (ken-dow) – Way of the sword, sport martial art

Kissaki (kis-sar-key) – Tip of the Sword

Kumiuchi (kuw-me-oo-chee) – Formal name of Ju Jutsu.

Kyu Jutsu (que jew-t-sue) – Archery

Men (men) – front of the ehad

Menkyo (men-q-o) – Licence

Migi (me-gee) – Right

Nito (knee-toe) – Two swords

Nito-Ken (knee-toe ken) – two sword techniques

Noto (no-toe) – Sheathing the sword.

Obi (o-be) – belt

Okuden (o-que-den) – Master Level

Ryuha (roo-ha) – School

Ryuso (roo-sho) – Founder of the school

Samurai (sam-you-r-high) – Warrior or he who awaits orders

Seppuku (sep-poo-koo) – Ritualistice taking of ones life

Shihan (she-han) – student of the Soke who has his own students

Shinai (she-n-hai) – Wooden kendo sword

Shomen-Uchi (show-man oo-chi) – Frontal strike

Taito (tay-toe) – Possession of a sword in your belt.

Tenouchi (ten –o-oo-chi) – Grip

Tsuba (sue-bar) – Sword guard

Tsuka (sue-car) – Hilt of sword

Uchidachi (oo-chi-da-ch-ee) – Attacker.

Uke (oo-key) – Attacker

Ukenagashi (oo-ken-a-ga-she) – Deflection/Parry

Yoroi (yo-roy) – Armour