Learning The Language

Learning the Language on USAdojo.com provides information about proper pronunciation, spelling, counting and more for languages use in martial arts training.

Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions B

Badik: A Malayan dagger shaped like a butterfly whose straight blade bears one sharp edge. Ba Gua Zhang: Translated as Eight Trigram Palm. One of the three...
Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions O

O: “Big” or “great.” Obi: Belt. Obi-otoshi Belt drop Odachi:: See “tachi.” O-goshi: Major hip, hip technique O-guruma: Major wheel. Judo foot technique. Oi-zuki Step punch. Okuri-ashi-harai: sending foot sweep, Judo foot technique. Omote: “Front” or “obvious.” Oni ken: Extended knuckle fist. Orei: “Respect” or...
Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions V

Vo phuc: A name for the uniform worn in the Vietnamese martial arts.
Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions F

Fari Gatka: An Indian form of fencing centered around shields (fari) and swords (gatka). The gatka is a three foot, leather-covered stick. The fari, nine...
Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions L

Lakan: The male black belt rank in the Filipino art of arnis. Lathi: “Staff.” An Indian fighting art centered around a cane or bamboo staff about five...
Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions Q

Quando: A spear-like weapon with a blade resembling a scimitar affixed to its end. This weapon is extremely heavy, and was used to cut through...
Sōke

It’s Sōke, It’s Alright

The so-called controversy and dilemma with the use of the term sōke in martial arts has only been seen in a few articles (self-published)...
Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions W

Wa: “Accord.” An ancient Japanese term for harmony, accord, and coordination. Wado ryu: “Way of peace.” A Japanese style of karate developed from jujutsu and earlier karate...
Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions D

Daab: A Thai sword used in Krabi Krabong. Dachi: Stance. Dai Kissaki: Enlarged point on a Japanese sword, a style more commonly found on swords from the 1700′s. Daisan: The completed...
Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions S

Sabom: “Teacher” or “instructor.” Sai: A pronged truncheon about fifteen to twenty inches long, used as a defensive instrument against various weapons such as the sword. It...