We use a number of Japanese words in class. Don’t worry – you don’t need to memorize them. However, if you are curious, here are some of the basic words we use:
Osu! (Ōs, where the Ō sounds like “owe”) – Hello!, Goodbye!, Thank you!, You’re welcome!, etc.
Seiza (Say-za) – kneel (or sit down)
Rei (Ray) – bow
Sensei (Sen-say) – teacher
Sensei ni rei (Sen-say nee ray) – bow to the teacher
Shomen ni rei (Shō-men nee ray) – bow to the front
Kamae (Kah-my) – Basic stance
Shite (Shtay) – The person who executes an Aikido technique
Uke (Oo-kay) – The person who receives an Aikido technique
Hajime (Ha-зee-may, where з sounds like the “ge” in “beige”) – begin
Yame (Yah-may) – stop
Dojo (Dō-jō) – A place for the study of an art
Dogi (Dō-gee, where the “g” sounds like the one in “gate”) – Clothing or uniform worn when studying an art
Arigato gozaimashita (Arr-ee-gah-tō Gō-zah-ee-mah-shtah) – Thank you (formal)
Counting:
1 – Ichi (Eech)
2 – Ni (Nee)
3 – San (Sahn)
4 – Shi (She)
5 – Go (Go)
6 – Roku (Rōku)
7 – Shichi (Sheech)
8 – Hachi (Hahch)
9 – Kyu (“Q”)
10 – Ju (Joo)