Basic terms

Kali – From “Kamot” (hand, body) and “Lihok” (movement)

Kalis – To scrape, also a filipino blade

Arnis / Arnis De Mano – FMA denomination

Escrima / Eskrima – Fencing, FMA denomination

Panandata – Weapons training

Pangamot – Empty hands training

Panantukan – Filipino boxing

Sikaran / Pananjakman – Kicking art

Dumog – Grappling art

Buno – Takedowns & Throwing arts

Kunsi – Locking art

Guro – Instructor

Punong Guro – Head instructor & founder of system

Mabuhay – “Long live” (expression, salutation

General terms

Numerada – Numbering System or drilling through it

Abecedario – ABC, basics

Tuloy Tuloy – Flowing, Continuous

Dikit – To attach, to stick

Inganyo – Faking

Mano – Hand

Siko – Elbow

Tuhod – Knee

Tatsulok – Triangle

Solo – Single

Doble – Double

Stick-related terms

Dulo, Punta – Tip of the stick

Punyo – Butt of the stick

Bantay Kamay – The “Alive Hand” or “Free Hand”

Largo Mano / Antaw – Long Range

Medio Mano – Middle Range

Corto Mano – Close Range

Abierta / Bukas – Open position

Serrada – Closed position

Talang Bartikal – Vertical Block

General motions

Tigbis – Forehand Attack

Ordabis – Backhand Attack

Ikis – X-pattern motion

Segung – To block

Palasut – To pass through

Humpak / Pasakai – Wave motion pass, elbow deflection

Sabayan – Simultaneous attack & defence

Gunting – Scissors movement (destruction)

Seguida – To follow

Contra – To meet

Sakay – To go with the force

Stick / Knife motions

Witik – Snap strike, Hit & retreat strike, Broken motion

Lobtik – Pull-through strike, Slashing strike, Fluid motion

Aldabis – Upward diagonal strike

Saboy – (“feed the chicken”) Upward diagonal strike

Sunkite / Sungkite / Duslak – Thrusting motion

Pasunkit – Thrusting passing motion

Payong – Umbrella

Redondo – Circular snapping strike

Abaniko – Fanning motion from side to side

Arco, Arko, Florete – Twirling strike

Hand motions

Dakup / Dakop – Catch

Pa’awas – Parry

Paglibut / Dukot / Palisut – Tight scoop

Waslik – Wide Scoop

Panastas – Cutting, Slashing

Sungab – Finger Thrust

Pukpok – Hummer

Drills-related terms

Pai Pai – Broken strikes on high line

Cob-Cob / Kob Kob – Broken strikes on all lines

Sinawalli – Series of different double hand motions

Sumbrada – (“shade”) Counter to Counter

Carenza / Amarra – Freeflow, Shadow-boxing

Sayaw – Solo form

Tapi-Tapi – Clearing hands technique and drill

Higot Hubud Lubud (Tie-untie, undress) – Sensitivity drills

Laban Laro – (“play fight”) Combat drills

Cadena de mano – Flowing and looping drills

Kicking attacks

Sipa – Oblique Kick, General Kick

Yutak / Yatuk – Stomp Kick

Sikad / Sikud – Side Kick

Technique-related terms

Agaw – To seize, disarming

Nakaw – To steal, disarming

Walis – Sweeping

Kaukit / Ankal / Tapak – Step on the foot

Linakun / Linkin – Head Turn (“Puter Kepala” in Silat)

Kalasag – Shield

Footwork

Retirada Caballero – Step & Side

Retirada Illustrissimo – Step Back-Step Through

Humpak Pa’awas – Circular Side Stepping

Knife grips

Sak-Sak / Langit / Dungab – Straight grip, fencing grip

Pakal – Reverse grip, ice-picking grip

Weapons names

Olisi / Baston – Stick

Espada – Sword

Daga / Baraw – Knife, blade, dagger

Garote – Flat stick

Balisong – Butterfly knife

Barong – Rounded single-edged blade

Kriss – Snake-shaped blade

Counting in Tagalog
Sero - zero
Isa – one
Dalawa – two
Tatlo – three
Apat – four
Lima – five
Anim – six
Pito – seven
Walo – eight
Siiyam – nine
Sampu - ten


A
Abang - to wait defensively
Abanico - fan; also spelled "abaniko"
Abanico sa Itaas  - upper flywheel
Abecedario - "ABC's"; the basics
Abierta - open position
Agaw - to grab, seize, disarm or take away
Agaw-Sandata - disarming & retrieval of the weapon
Aldabis - diagonal cut, strike or uppercut
Alpabeto - alphabet; the basics
Anim - six
Anino - shadow
Antas - level or degree
Antaw - long range
Apat - four
Araw - sun or day
Arnis - Harness; Northern Philippine martial art
Arnisador - stick fighter
Arnis de Mano - "Armor of the Hand"; system
Atras - retreat or backward
Avante - forward

B
Babag - worry; trouble
Bago - new or before
Bagong-Pasok – entry-level student
Bagsak - to drop; overhead strike with down weighing
Baguhan - beginner
Bahi - a Philippine hardwood used for sticks
Baitang - level or stages
Bakbakan - a rumble or free-for-all fight
Balaraw - dagger
Baligtad - reverse or inside out
Bali - break
Balik -return or retreat
Balisong - "butterfly knife"
Balitok - tumble
Banatan -full-contact fighting
Bansay-bansay - training or drills
Bantay - guard or watch
Bantay-Kamay - support or "alive" hand
Bara-bara - wild or formless technique
Baraw - dagger
Bartikal - vertical cut/strike
Basag- broken
Baston - stick
Bati-Bati - using the butt of the stick
Batikan - noteworthy; certified expert
Baywang - the hip
Bigay - to give
Bigay-bali - lock release technique
Bigay-galang - salutation
Bihasa - expert
Binahagi - cut into parts
Binali - break or reverse
Bisig - the arm
Bothan - Martial Arts school
Braso - the arm
Buah - combination of footwork and form; application of technique
Buhat - lift
Buhat Araw - an overhead strike
Bukas - open position
Buklis - upward figure 8
Bulusok - powerful overhead or diagonal strike
Buno - takedown or throws
Bunot - to draw a sword; to pluck out
Bunot Kaluban - an upward slash followed by a downward slash; a drawing and slashing technique

C
Caballero - techniques from Grandmaster Caballero
Carera - cycling movement or spin
Cadena de Mano - chain of hands
Centro - center
Centro Baston - holding the stick in the middle
Cerrada - close; closed fighting position
Cinco - five
Cinco Teros - "5 strikes"
Contra - counter
Contrada - opposite or counter
Corto - close range
Cruzada - cross-block and strike
Crossada - to cross
Cuatro- four

D
Daga - dagger or short stick
Dakop - to catch
Dakot - to scoop
Dalawa - two
Dalawampu - twenty
Dalawampu't Isa - twenty-one
Dalawang - double
Dakip - capture
Dakip-Diwa - mind-set
Damdam - feel or sensitivity
Damdam-Diwa - sensitivity; being aware
de Cadena - "the chain"
de Cuerdas - "to chord"; system
Defundo - stationary
Delikado - dangerous
Depensa - defense; person taking defensive role in training
Dib-dib - the chest
Diin - to put pressure on
Dikitan - very close or close quarters
Diwa - mind
Djuru - form
Doble - double
Doble Baston - double stick training
Doblete - double or repeat
Doce Pares - "12 pairs or 12 strikes"; system
Dos - two
Dos Labahas - two blades
Dos Manos - two hands
Dos Manos Largos - two hands with long stick
Dukop - to catch
Dukot - to snatch or seize unexpectedly
Dukot - to reach out
Dulo - the tip of the stick
Dumog - filipino grappling art
Dungab - to strike with the fist
Dungab - "heaven" or "hammer" grip
Duslak - thrust

E
Elastico - "rubber band art"; system
Enganyo - fake or feint
Entrada - entry
Equis - "X" or "X" shaped strike
Eskrima - "skirmish"; Filipino martial art
Eskrimador - stick fighter
Espada - sword or long stick
Espada y Daga - sword & dagger or long & short stick
Estrilla - star

F
No terms found

G
Galang - respect
Galing - skillfull
Gantihan - exchange of blows
Garote - stick; usually flat to simulate a blade
Garote'ng itak - flat stick
Gitna - center
Gunting - "scissors" or passing block with limb destruction
Guro - teacher

H
Habang - while; in the meantime
Hagad-Hubad - strikes & counters
Hagis - to throw; a throwing technique
Hagibis - whirlwind; throwing & grappling techniques
Hakbang - to step; footwork
Hakbang-Paiwas - full side step/step to avoid strike
Halo-Halo - combination; free flow sparring
Hanay - row or line
Han-ay - form
Handa - "Get ready!"
Hapos - strike or slash
Hapsanay - free sparring
Hatak - to pull
Hataw - a full power strike
Hawak - to hold
Hawak-Gitna - holding the stick in the middle
Hawak-Pakal - reverse or ice-pick grip
Hawak-Punyo - regular hold on weapon with punyo
Hawak-Sagad - regular grip with no punyo
Hawak-Saksak - regular or hammer grip
Hawak-Sandata - methods of holding a weapon
Hawak-Susi - reverse grip; holding at tip of stick
Higot - to tie
Hindi - no or negative
Hintay - wait or pause
Hiwa - to slash or cut
Hubad - to untie or undress; name of a flow drill
Hulagpos - to escape from capture or restraint

I
Ibaba - down or below
Ibabaw - above or on top of
Ikot - turn or about-face
Ikot-Hantaw - spinning strike
Ilag - to evade
Ilalim - under or underneath
Ilustrisimo - techniques from Grandmaster Anotio Ilustrisimo
Insayo'ng  - training
Ipit - to lock, trap or jam
Ipit-Hagis - a sacrifice throwing technique
Isang - single
Itaas - above, upper or to the front
Itak - long sword or bolo
Isa - one
Isa-pa - once more; again; one more time
Iwas - to avoid, dodge or duck

J
Juego Todo - anything goes or free-for-all fight

K
Kaayusan - order or organization
Kabakas - partner or assistant
Kadena - chain or series of movements
Kadyot - a shallow, snap thrust
Kalahati - half
Kalas - disengage, release or disarm
Kalas-Sandata - disarming technique
Kalasag - to shield
Kali - a southern Philippine martial art
Kalis - oldest of the Philippino style Kris swords; wavy back half, straight front half
Kaliwa - left side
Kamagoong - Philippine ironwood
Kamay -the hand
Kamayan - empty-hand training
Kamot - to punch; hand
Kanan - right side
Kapatid - brother
Kasa - to cock or chamber; to accept a challenge
Kasama - companion/friends
Karunungan - knowledge
Katapatan - loyalty
Katawan - body or torso
Katipunan - organization, association or brotherhood
Kenkoy - derogatory term used for unrealistic or impractical styles of fighting
Kilat - "Lightning Blow"
Kilos - movement
Kilos-Paa - footwork
Kina-Iya - natural
Kris - serpentine blade knife or sword
Kunsi - grappling techniques
Kuntao - "fist way"; system

L
Labaha - blade
Labahas - blades
Laban - to fight
Laban-Handa - ready-stance
Laban-Laro - combat drills or "play fights"
Labanang - to fight
Labanang-Dikitan - close quarters combat
Labanang-Malapitan - medium range combat
Labanang-Malayuan - long range combat
Laban-Paluan - free-fighting
Laban-Sanay - combat-skills training
Labas - the outside
Labing-Isa - eleven
Labo-labo - anything-goes fight
La Contra - to meet a strike
Lakan - an instructor rank equivalent to black belt
Langka - footwork
Lansi - to confuse or misdirect
Lansing-Tadyak - spinning thrust kick
Lansing-Sikad - spinning snap kick
Largo - long
Largo Mano - long range
Largos - long
Laro - to play
Laro-laro - give and take drills or training
Larong - to play
La Seguida - to follow a strike
Laslas - to cut to shreds
Lastiko - a style of arnis that emphasizes bobbing & weaving to avoid strikes
Lengua de Fuego - a fast series of thrust & slash techniques
Lihim - secret
Lihis - to the side or sidestep
Likos - twirl
Lima - five
Liyad - to lean away
Lock & Block - training drill from Serrada Eskrima
Loob - the inside
Lubud - to blend
Luma - old
Lusob - attack or partner taking offensive role in the training
Lutangto - float; the unique forward and backward footwork of the Ilustrisimo system

M
Mabilis - fast or speedy
Magaling - highly skilled
Magisa - alone
Mag-Olisi - one who practices stick fighting
Magulang - parents; shrewd or sly
Mahina - weak or of poor skills
Maharlika - noble or nobility
Mahusay - skillful
Malakas - strong, powerful or influential
Malapitan - near or close
Malayuan - far or distant
Mandirigma - warrior
Mano - hand
Mano y Mano - hand to hand
Marami - many or numerous
Maraming Salamat Po - "Many thanks"
Marunong - knowledgeable
Masipag - earnest or hard working
Masugid - dedicated or loyal
Matibay - strong, durable or lasting
Matira - to be left or to be the last
Matira Matibay - Survival of the Fittest
Matulis - sharply pointed; a style of bolo
Mayto - have
May-Alam - to posses the seeds of knowledge
Medio - medium range
Meteorica - meteoric strike from Grandmaster Caballero
Mukha - the face
Muli - again or one more time

N
Nakahanda - ready
Naka-Upo - seated
Nakaw - to steal
Ng - of

O
Olisi - stick
Olisi-hay - sparring with sticks
Opo - respectful form of saying "yes"
Oracion - a prayer for protection
Ordabis - backhand strike

P
Paa - foot
Paayon - going with the force
Paawas - to parry
Pababa - downward
Pag-Galang - salutation or show of respect
Pagsasanay - training
Pagsilang - birth or sunrise
Pagsisisi - atonement or repentance
Pahimsug - exercises or calisthenics
Pahisa - a slashing motion
Paikot - rotate
Paikot - circular strike
Paiwas - to avoid
Pakal - "ice pick" grip
Palad - palm of the hand
Palakas - strengthening
Palakas-Pulso – wrist strengthening exercises
Palis - sweep or sweeping parry
Palis-Patid - a sweeping throw
Palisut - to scoop
Palisut-sut - skipping strike
Palit - change or exchange
Palit-Kamay - change or exchange grip
Palitan - alternating
Palo - to strike
Paluan - exchange of strikes
Palusut - to pass through; technique of evading and passing through
Pama-a - footwork
Panabas - ax style weapon
Pananandata - study of the weapons of the Philippines
Panastas - to slash
Panata - a devotion
Pangamot - empty-hand defense
Pangandam - on-guard or ready position
Pang-Ikyas - evasion or dodge
Pangilog - disarming
Pang-Olisi - stick fighting
Pang-Ubot - hold or grip
Panibago - new or a revival
Pani-il - footwork
Panimban - balance
Panipis - to skim or cut thinly
Panukad - fighting stance
Parusa - punishment
Pasada de Contra - pass and hit
Pasok - to enter, inside or on target
Pasulong - forward
Pasungkit - to thrust upward
Pataas - upward
Patalim - dagger or blade weapon
Patalon - jumping or multi-level strikes
Patibong - to trap
Patid - to trip
Patusok - in a thrusting motion
Paulit-ulit - repetitive
Pa-upo - half side step/sitting down
Pauyon - go-with-the force technique
Payong - umbrella
Payong sa Itaas - upper umbrella block
Pekiti - close range
Piga - to squeeze or wring
Piglas - to struggle or resist
Pikon - one who is easily upset
Piktos - a snap strike
Pilay - sprain or dislocation; lame or crippled at the legs
Pinahandog - diagonal downward strike
Pinatag - horizontal strike
Pinasaka - diagonal upward strike
Pinasaka Tuhod - rising knee strike
Pinatindog - vertical downward strike
Pingga - a long staff fighting system
Pinid - closed position
Pintok - a wrist snap strike
Pinuti - long Visayan sword
Pito - seven
Planchada - a horizontal strike
Plansada - horizontal cut/strike
Pluma - pen
Po - a suffix denoting respect
Prakcion - to react faster than the opponent
Pukpok - to hammer or pummel
Pulso - pulse or wrist
Puluhan - handle or butt
Punong Guro - head teacher & founder of system
Punyo - butt of stick or any weapon



Q
No terms found

R
Redonda - continuous double stick technique
Redondo - circular power strike
Retirada - to retreat
Rompida - an upward and downward slash
Ronda - circular movement of the hands or weapon
Ropillon - a double stick technique or movement

S
Sa - to or of
Sabayan - Simultaneous; to attack or counter at the same time
Sablay - Incomplete or imperfect; a low right to left horizontal - blow
Saboy - to throw or scatter; an upward right to left diagonal strike
Sadang - reverse position
Sagang - defense
Sagasa - to charge or to overrun
Sakay - to ride or go with the force
Sakay-Salag - eskrima sticky hands; to follow the motion of the blocked/ checked weapon or attack
Sakong - heel
Sakong-Palad - palm-heel
Saksak - to thrust
Sasak Hatak - a technique using fast withdrawal and twisting of the weapon to inflict a cut on the opponents checking or blocking hand
Salag - block or parry
Salagba - downward block
Salagbas - outside dodging and parrying
Salag-Bisig - forearm block
Salagsok - inside dodging and parrying
Salagtas - upward block
Salakay - to charge or attack
Salamat - to thank
Salamin - mirror or reaction drill
Salisi - opposing or opposite direction
Salok - an upward strike with the edge or point
Saltik - a snap strike
Salubong - to meet head-on
Sama - to join or go with
Sambut - combination of footwork & form; application of technique
Sampu - ten
Sanay - training or exposure
Sandata - weapon
Sangga - to block
Saplet - quick disarm
Sawali - interwoven slats of wood used for walls
Serada - closed
Serrada - close quarters or "closing"
Sibat - staff
Sibog - retreat or backward
Sikad - sidekick
Sikad-Gilid - side snap kick
Sikad-Hataw - snap roundhouse kick
Sikad-Sungkite - snap hook kick
Sikad-Tusok - front snap kick
Sikaran - a Philippine martial art emphasizing kicking skills
Siklod - to kiss the hand of an elder; a wrist lock
Siklod Bangga - a wrist lock that uses the shoulder as a leverage point
Sikmura - solar plexus
Siko - the elbow
Sikot - push kick
Sikwat - to pry; an upward strike with the punyo
Sikwat-Siko - a come-along lock with the elbow as the primary lock or center of pressure
Silat - to outmaneuver or overpower; an Indonesian martial art
Silak - open-hand system used against a blade (Sayoc Kali)
Sinawalli - to weave; a continuous double stick technique
Sinigurato - make doubly sure; a follow-up trapping or jamming technique (Lameco Eskrima)
Sipa - to kick; also a game
Sipalit - a training drill for alternating kicks
Sipang-Hataw - roundhouse kick
Siyam - nine
Sogo - fingertip thrust
Solo - single
Songab - finger jab
Songkiti - a hooking movement used to parry or thrust
Suklian - an exchange of strikes
Suko - to surrender or give-up
Sulod - to enter
Sulong - to go forward or go ahead
Suliwa - pass or deflect
Sumbalik - counter
Sumbrada - upper umbrella block; name of a flow drill
Sumpa - a vow or oath
Sungkite - a technique that emphasizes thrusts
Sundot - a jab or quick thrust
Suntok - to punch
Suplete - quick disarm
Suwag - head-butt
Suyop - a go with the force technique

T
Tabas Talahib - a horizontal strike
Tabak-Toyok - nunchaku
Tadtad - full of or multiples of
Tadyak - thrust kick
Tadyak-Gilid - side thrust kick
Tadyak-Sakong - back thrust kick
Tadyak-Tusok - front thrust kick
Taga - to strike or cut
Tagang Alanganin - an outward horizontal strike aimed at the upper torso region
Tagang Buhat Araw - an overhead strike aimed at the top of the head
Tagang Pasumala - primarily a parry, a sweeping upward diagonal strike used to deflect a weapon
Tagang San Miguel - a diagonal downward and inward strike aimed at the upper torso
Tagapagsanay - trainer or assistant instructor
Tagapagturo - senior assistant instructor
Tala - star
Talang Bartikal - vertical block
Talas - sharp or to sharpen
Talas Damdam - sensitivity training
Tapa - to step on the foot
Tapi - to parry or deflect
Tapik - to nudge, defelct or parry
Tapi-on - to block, parry, deflect or check
Tapi-Tapi - checking; a series of parries & blocks
Tapos - finished or the end
Tatlo - three
Tatlumpu - thirty
Tatlumpu't Isa - thirty-one
Tatsulok - triangle
Taub - facing downward
Tayo - stance
Teka - wait, halt or pause
Tiempo - timing
Tigil - stop or cease
Tigpas - a horizontal strike directed at the knees
Tihaya - facing upward
Tiniklink - footwork drill
Tisod - to stumble
Totsada - to thrust
Totsar - to thrust
Trancada - to lock or locks
Tuhod - the knee
Tulisan - the knife-fighting art of Kali Illustrisimo
Tuloy-tuloy - continuous
Tunga-tunga - medium range
Tuo - to the right
Tusok - to thrust
Tuyok - cycling movement or to spin

U
Ulo - the head
Upo - seat

V
No terms found

W
Wala - to the left; nothing; lost
Walis - to sweep
Walo - eight
Warwok - a weapon hand capture that rebounds the weapon into the attackers body
Witik - wrist snap strike

X
No terms found


Y
Yabag - the sound of footsteps
Yabang - show-off
Yakap - hug, hold, embrace or clinch
Yantoc - rattan stick
Yukbo - salutation
Yuko - to duck or bow

Z
No terms found