Communication is an important aspect of sport. Terms used just in the BJJ sphere help to understand and express sport aspects. Here are some of the key words, terms and commands used in Brazilian Jiu-JitsuCommunication is an important aspect of sport. Terms used just in the BJJ sphere help to understand and express sport aspects. Here are some of the key words, terms and commands used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
A
Ashi – Leg
Ashi Barai –sweep
Ashi Waza – Foot and leg techniques
Atemi Waza – Striking Techniques
Ayumi-ashi – Normal walking on the mat
B
Bangumi – Program
Bujin – Warrior
Bushido – Way of the warrior
C
Chikara – Force
Chui – caution (used in contests.)
Chudan– middle (of body); torso level
D
Daidojuku – a system of jujitsu emphasizing techniques similar to yawara and other hand arts and emphasizing “aiki.”
Daitō-Ryū – is one of the systems studied by Morihei Uyeshiba before his founding of aikido.
Dan – Grade, step (As in shodan.)
Dōgi (Keikogi) – Practice suit (Also called judogi.) the word “gi” is never used alone and only as the second part of a name or word.
E
Ebi – lobster; shrimp; prawn
Ebi jime – lobster choke
Empi – Elbow strike (The term comes from karatedo and doesn’t have really much connection to jujutsu. It literally means swallow flying.)
Eri – Lapel, collar
F
Fudo dachi –rooted stance
Fumi – step on; tread on
Fusegi – Defense
G
Gi – To dress, uniform for practicing (Always used as suffix as in judogi or jujitsugi.)
Gi – Technical (in a practical sense), a deed
The uniform of brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi is strongly reminiscent of a Judogis, but the kimonos for brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are usually narrower and more body-cut to make it difficult for the opponent to grasp. Traditionally, the BJJ Gi is made of cotton, with variations. The trousers are nowadays often made of ripstop fabric. Other manufacturers also offer kimonos made from hemp, which should be particularly suitable as hemp is antibacterial, which prevents unpleasant odors.
Gakushū-Sha – To win, be victorious
Gedan – lower level
Gedan barai – downward block; lower-level sweeping block
Gedan tsuki – lower-level punch or strike
H
Hajime – ‘Begin!’. The command given at the beginning of a contest by the referee to the two opponents.
Hantei – reverse; opposite
Hantai gatame – reverse hold
Hidari – left (side)
Hidari Shizentai – Left-Hand Throw
Hikiwake – A draw in a contest. To pull apart (as in two men fighting.)
Hiza – The knee
Hiji – elbow; often used synonymously with empi in Japanese martial arts
Hontai – Basic posture
I
Idori – Sitting or kneeling
Ippon – one long cylindrical object; one full point in a judo contest
Ippon-seoi-nage – One arm shoulder throw
Ippon shobu – A match decided on the basis of one point
ippon ken – one-knuckle fist
ippon kumite – one-step sparring
ippon seoi – one-armed shoulder; throw in judo
irimi waza – entering techniques
Irimi – Entering (As in irimi nage in aikido of jujutsu.)
J
Jiu Jitsu – The gentle art; power of mind
Jikan Desu – Referee’s call in a contest denoting time is over
Jukutou – principal
Jimuchou – managing Director
K
Kakato – heel
kakato geri – heel kick
Kansetsu waza –Joint Locking techniques
Kata – Pre arranged stylized techniques
Kata – Shoulder
Keage – upwards kick
Keiko (Geiko) – To practice, exercise (in order to learn), to drill.
Keikomi– thrusting kick
Keri (Geri) – kick
Keri waza – kicking techniques
Ki – inner energy; spirit
Kiai – loud shout or yell which focuses one’s ki when striking hard; literally, “harmonized inner energy”
Kihon (Hon) – Fundamentals
Kihon renshu – Fundamental practice
Ko – Minor, small (As in ko uchi gari.)
Koshi – Hip; ball of the foot; waist; loin
Kubi – neck
Kumite – sparring
M
Ma ai – distance
Mae – front
Mae geri – front kick
Mate – Wait
Mawashi – turning; rotating
Mawate – turnover; turn
Migi – right (side)
N
Nage Waza – throwing techniques
Ne Waza – ground techniques or matwork; often used interchangeably with karate
Nukite – spear-hand; literally, “(sword) drawing hand”
Nukite zuki – spear-hand thrust
О
O – major; compare to ko; e.g., ogoshi
Ogoshi – major/Large hip throw
Obi – belt
Osae – immobilize, to press upon or against, to retrain, keep down (As in osae waza.)
Otoshi – to drop, to let fall (as in tai otoshi). To entrap
R
Randori – free practice or sparring
Rei – to bow
Renshu – to drill or exercises
Ritsu Rei – standing bow
Roku – six (see numerals)
Roshi – old master, title for a man with deep Zen experience (bud. Belief)
Ryu – a style of school in Japanese martial arts; literally, “stream”
S
Seiken – Forefist
Sempai – A senior member in a dojo.
Sensei – teacher
Shi Han – master or senior instructor
Shiai – contest
Shido – Punishment, corresponds to the first time Koka, the second time Yuko, the third time Waza-ari, afterwards Hansuko-make
Shiho – every direction; literally, “four directions”
Shihan – Master (6th Dan and up, style dependent)
Shime Waza – strangulation techniques
Shuto – the ulnar edge, or knife-edge, of the hand
Sode – the sleeve
Sokuto – blade of the foot
Sore Made – fighting, that’s all
Soto – outer, outside (As in o soto gari.)
Suri Ashi – method of movement, in which the feet do not overtake and the sole always slides on the ground
T
Tai-Sabaki – body management, body movement
Tanden – point just below the navel
Te – hand
Tettsui – iron hammer
Tobi – to jump. Tobi watare means to jump across, tobi komi means to jump or spring into.
Ton Fa – wooden rod with handle at right angle, used in pairs
Tori (dori)– pull; grab; grasp; take; take away; in Japanese martial arts, the one who performs or demonstrates (“takes”) a technique;
Tsugi Ashi – follow-foot movement, a form of footwork
Tsukuri – stepping into the throw
U
Uchi – inner; inside; e.g., ouchi gari
Ude – arm
Uke – receiving; in Japanese martial arts, the one who “receives” a technique; also in Japanese martial arts, a block (to “receive” a strike);
Ukemi Waza – breakfalling techniques
Uki – floating
Ura – reverse side; back; rear
Ushiro – back; behind; rear
Ushiro Ukemi – fall back
Ushiro-dori – Attack from behind
W
Waza – technique, trick
Wazaari – “Almost a technique” (A score in contest judo where the person performing the technique almost completes it enough to score the ippon, of full point.)
Wazaari awasete Ippon – Two wazaari (fast point) give Ippon (point)
Y
Yakosoku-Geiko – side clip; throw in
Yama – mountain
Yame – stop
Yoi – ready
Yoko – side
Yoko Geri – Side kick
Yoseki – place of honor
Yuko – evaluation, technical advantage
Z
Za – Japanese sect of Buddhism which places heavy emphasis on meditation and which significantly influenced the Japanese martial arts; in front; before; forwards; e.g., zenkutsu
Zarei – a seated, formal bow
Zazen – concentration seat
Zempo – forward
Zen – virtue, goodness
Zori – Sandals made of straw
Last modified: May 23, 2017