International Arnis Koredas Obra Mano Federation

This list is by no means a complete list of the terminology found within the

martial arts of the Philippines but will, hopefully give some understanding of

many of the terms found.

The systems and styles of the FMA are as diverse and numerous as the Islands

that make up the Philippine Islands (1,500 +) and most of these Islands have

developed their own indigenous languages and dialects. The Philippine Islands of

the North and Central regions were ruled by the Spanish for a period of 333

years, so some Spanish and Spanish type terminology is also found in many

systems, especially those from the Northern regions.

This huge diversity goes some way in explaining why there is no unifying

terminology to describe many of the techniques, concepts and principles of the

FMA and why many modern day schools resort to the use of English as a simple

generic terminology.

Abang                                                                                          to wait defensively

Abaniko                                                                                        abanico fan

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

Babag                                                                                         worry; trouble

Bago                                                                                           new or before

Bagong-Pasok                                                                             entry level student

Bagsak                                                                       

to drop; overhead strike with down weighing

Baguhan                                                                                      beginner

Bahi                                                                                    a Philipine 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

Binti                                                                                         trip

Bisig                                                                                        the arm

Bothan                                                                                    Martial Arts school

Braso                                                                                      the arm

Buah                                                  

combination of footwork and form; application of technique

Buhat                                                                                      from or 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

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

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

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

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

Floreti                                                                          twirling of the stick

Frail                                                                             stickfighting

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 a limb destruction

Guro                                                                           teacher

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

Ibaba                                                                   down or below

Ibabaw                                                                above or on-top

Ikot                                                                     turn or about-face

Ikot-Hantaw                                                         spinning strike

Ilag                                                                     to evade

Ilalim                                                                  under or underneath

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

Juego Todo                                                         anything goes or free-for-all fight

Kaayusan                                                           order or organisation

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

Kaliwa                                                              left side

Kamagoong                                                      Philipine iron wood

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                                                       organisation, association or brotherhood

Kenkoy                               

derogatory term used for unrealistic or Impractical fighting style

Kilat                                                               "Lightning Blow"

Kilos                                                              movement

Kilos-Paa                                                       footwork

Kina-Iya                                                        natural

Kris                                                               serpentine blade knife or sword

Kunsi                                                             grappling techniques

Kuntao                                                           "fist way"; system

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 side-step

Likos                                                          twirl

Lima                                                          five

Liyad                                                         to lean away

Loob                                                          the inside

Lubud                                                        to blend

Luma                                                         old

Lusob                                                        attack or partner taking offensive role

Lutangto                                                   float; the unique forward and backward

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

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

Nakahanda                                             ready

Naka-Upo                                               seated

Nakaw                                                   to steal

Ng                                                         of

Olisi                                                       stick

Olisi-hay                                                sparring with sticks

Opo                                                       respectful form of saying "yes"

Oracion                                                  a prayer for protection

Ordabis                                                  backhand strike

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

Paka                                                      "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

Panandata                                            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

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

Sa                                                  to or of

Sabayan                             

simultaneous; to attack or counter at the same time

Sablay                                 

incomplete or imperfect; a low right to left horizontal strike

Saboy                                  

to throw or scatter; an upward right to left diagonal strike

Sadang                                            reverse position

Sagang                                            defence

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 use for walls

Serada                                           closed

Serrada                                          close quarters or "closing"

Sibat                                               staff

Sibog                                              retreat or backward

Sikad                                              side kick

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 emphasising kicking

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 Malaysian & Southern Philipine 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                                                 finger-tip 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

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 outwards 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, deflect 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

Ulo                                                   the head

Upo                                                  seat

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

Yabag                                              the sound of footsteps

Yabang                                            show-off

Yakap                                              hug, hold, embrace or clinch

Yantoc                                             rattan stick

Yukbo                                              salutation

Yuko                                                to duck or bow