List of Ninjutsu Words, Terms & Commands

Here are some of the key Japanese words, commands and terminology used in Ninjutsu. This page will also help you to pronounce these Japanese terms and phrases.

For other martial arts words & commands, please visit the main Martial Arts Terminology section.

Ninjutsu Terms & Commands - English to Japanese

• Back/Rear - Ushiro (sounds like Oo-she-row)
• Basic - Kihon (sounds like Key-hon)
• Belt - Obi (sounds like Oh-bee)
• Block - Uke (sounds like Oo-kay)
• Body Movement - Tai Sabaki
• Bow (i.e. to greet instructor) - Rei (sounds like Ray)
• Disappearing Techniques - Intonjutsu
• Disguise & Impersonation Techniques - Hensojutsu
• Elbow - Empi or Enpi (sounds like En-pee or Em-pee)
• Elbow Strike - Empi-Uchi (sounds like Em-pee Oo-chee)
• Entangle - Garami
• Espionage - Choho
• Falling Techniques - Ukemi Waza
• Fire - Ka
• Foot - Ashi (sounds like Ah-she)
• Form or Pattern - Kata (sounds like Ka-ta)
• Form (Kata) Technique Application - Bunkai (sounds like Boon-kay)
• Goodbye - Sayonara (sounds like Sa-yoh-na-rah)
• Hand - Te (sound like Tay)
• Head - Atama (sounds like Ah-ta-ma)
• Heel - Kakato (sounds like Ka-ka-toe)
• I (Me) - Watashi (sounds like Wa-ta-she)
• Joint Lock Techniques - Kansetsu Waza
• Kick - Geri or Keri (sounds like Geh-ree or Keh-ree)
• Knee - Hiza (sounds like He-zah)
• Knife Hand - Shuto (sounds like Shoe-toe)
• Left - Hidari (sounds like Hee-da-ree)
• Low (Level) - Gedan (sounds like Geh-dan)
• Mat (Practice/Training Mat) - Tatami (sounds like Ta-ta-me)
• Middle (Level) - Chudan (sounds like Choo-dan)
• Ninja - Shinobi
• Ninja (Female) - Kunoichi
• No - Iie (sounds like E-ay)
• Please - Dozo (sounds like Doe-zoh)
• Pressure Point Techniques - Kyusho Waza
• Punch - Tsuki or Zuki (sounds like Zoo-key)
• Right - Migi (sounds like Mee-gee)
• Sandals (Flat Bottom) - Zori
• Sandals (Elevated) - Geta
• School/Training Facility (Martial Arts) - Dojo (sounds like Doe-Joe)
• Side - Yoko (sounds like Yoh-koh)
• Socks - Tabi
• Sparring - Kumite (sounds like Coo-meh-tay)
• Stance - Dachi (sounds like Dah-chee)
• Stop - Yame (sounds like Yah-may)
• Strike - Uchi (sounds like Oo-chee)
• Sweep - Barai (sounds like Baa-rye)
• Teacher/Instructor - Sensei (sounds like Sen-say)
• Technique - Waza (sounds like Waa-Zaa)
• Thank You (Formal) - Domo Arigato (sounds like Doe-moe Ah-ree-gah-toe)
• Thank You (Informal) - Domo (sounds like Doe-moe)
• Throat - Nodo (sounds like No-doe)
• Throwing Techniques - Nage Waza
• Turn Around - Mawatte (sounds like Ma-wa-tay)
• Unarmed Combat - Taijutsu
• Upper (Level) - Jodan (sounds like Joe-dan)
• Water Training - Sui-ren
• Weapon - Buki
• Yes - Hai (sounds like Hi)
• You - Anata (sounds like Ah-na-ta)

How To Count In Japanese

• One - Ichi
• Two - Ni
• Three - San
• Four - Shi
• Five - Go
• Six - Roku
• Seven - Shichi
• Eight - Hachi
• Nine - Kyu
• Ten - Jyu
• Eleven - Jyu Ichi
• Twelve - Jyu Ni
• Thirteen - Jyu San
• Fourteen - Jyu Shi
• Fifteen - Jyu Go
• Sixteen - Jyu Roku
• Seventeen - Jyu Shichi
• Eighteen - Jyu Hachi
• Nineteen - Jyu Kyu
• Twenty - Ni Jyu

Ninjutsu Weapons

• Arrow - Ya
• Blinding Powder - Metsubushi
• Blow Gun - Fukiya
• Bow (Archery) - Yumi
• Caltrops - Tetsubishi
• Chain & Scythe - Kusarigama
• Chain Weapon - Kusari Fundo
• Claw Weapon - Shuko
• Dagger - Tanto
• Dagger/Digging Tool - Kunai
• Hooked Rope-Dart - Kyoketsu-Shoge or Shogee
• Scythe (Small) - Kama
• Spear - Yari
• Staff (Long) - Bo
• Staff (Medium) - Jo
• Staff (Short) - Hanbo
• Sword (Metal) - Katana
• Sword (Practice - Bamboo) - Shinai
• Sword (Practice - Wooden) - Bokken
• Sword (Short) - Wakazashi
• Throwing Star - Shuriken
• War Fan - Tessen
• For additional information, please visit the main Ninjutsu Weapons section.

References

1. Kashiwa Bujinkan Ninjustu, Traditional Weapons Used In Ninjutsu, http://www.kbninjutsu.com/weapons.html, Added - 05/19/14
2. Ninjutsu.org.uk, The 18 Skills of the Togakure Ryu Ninja, http://www.ninjutsu.org.uk/the-18-skills-of-the-togakure-ryu-ninja.html, Added - 08/08/14