Martial Arts

1. هل يمكنني حضور حصة واحدة فقط؟

   Hal yumkinunī ḥuḍūr ḥiṣṣa wāḥida faqaṭ?

   Can I attend just a single session?

   Usage

   Gulf gyms normally sell monthly memberships, but the larger clubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi commonly accept a drop-in — a "ḥiṣṣa wāḥida", one session. Abu Dhabi in particular is a jiu-jitsu stronghold, with the sport taught in state schools, so clubs are everywhere. Open with this line at the front desk

   Grammar Note

   "Yumkin" (it is possible) takes the object pronoun -ni to mean "for me", and the natural continuation is a verbal noun (masdar) such as "ḥuḍūr" rather than a finite verb. "Hal" marks a yes/no question

2. هل يمكنني مشاهدة التدريب أولاً؟

   Hal yumkinunī mushāhadat al-tadrīb awwalan?

   May I watch the training first?

   Usage

   Use this when you want to judge the atmosphere and the coaching before paying. Gulf gyms are relaxed about spectators and many offer a free trial class, a "hissa tajreebiyya". Never step onto the mats in shoes — watch from the edge — and always ask before filming, since other members will be in shot

   Grammar Note

   "Mushaahadat al-tadrīb" is an idaafa (genitive construct): the first noun never takes the article. The ending -an on "awwalan" is the accusative tanween that turns a noun into an adverb, here "firstly"

3. هل تؤجرون بدلة الجوجيتسو؟

   Hal tuʾajjirūna badlat al-jūjītsū?

   Do you rent out a jiu-jitsu gi?

   Usage

   A jiu-jitsu gi is a "badlat al-jūjītsū" or simply "al-kiimuunuu". Many gyms lend one for a first visit, though some decline on hygiene grounds and sell them at the counter instead. No-gi classes ("biduun badla") only need a rashguard and shorts

   Grammar Note

   "Ajjara" (to rent out) and "ista'jara" (to rent from) come from the same root but mean opposite things; since you are asking the gym, use "tuʾajjirūna". Addressing staff in the plural is the normal polite default

4. أنا مبتدئ تماماً في الجوجيتسو.

   Anā mubtadiʾ tamāman fī al-jūjītsū.

   I am a complete beginner at jiu-jitsu.

   Usage

   Say this first. Jiu-jitsu marks experience by belt ("hizaam"), so saying you are a white belt — "al-hizaam al-abyad" — communicates instantly. Replace "al-jūjītsū" with "al-mulaakama al-taaylaandiyya" (Muay Thai) or "al-funuun al-qitaaliyya al-mukhtalita" (MMA). A woman says "mubtadi'a" instead of "mubtadiʾ"

   Grammar Note

   Arabic nominal sentences need no copula: "anaa" plus a noun already means "I am a ...". Words describing a person agree in gender, the feminine taking the ending -a: "mubtadiʾ" versus "mubtadi'a"

5. من فضلك خفّف قليلاً.

   Min faḍlik khaffif qalīlan.

   Please go a bit easier.

   Usage

   Use this to lower the intensity in grappling or pad work. In jiu-jitsu sparring the universal signal is the tap — two clear taps with hand or foot on your partner or the mat — and it needs no language at all. Tapping early is by far the best injury prevention there is

   Grammar Note

   "Min faḍlik" addresses a man; a woman is "min fadliki". "Khaffif" is the Form II imperative "make it lighter"; addressing a woman it becomes "khaffifi" with the ending -i

6. ركبتي مصابة، أرجو تجنّب حركات الأرجل.

   Rukbatī muṣāba, arjū tajannub ḥarakāt al-arjul.

   My knee is injured, so please avoid the leg techniques.

   Usage

   Always say this before you start. Jiu-jitsu includes leg attacks such as the heel hook that load the knee heavily and will aggravate an old injury. Swap "rukbati" (my knee) for "katfi" (shoulder), "dhahri" (back) or "kaahili" (ankle). Pointing at the taped joint as you say it removes any doubt

   Grammar Note

   "Rukba" (knee) is grammatically feminine, so the adjective takes the feminine form "muṣāba". Possession is the suffix -i on the noun. After "arjū" a verbal noun is the natural continuation, giving a polite request

7. كم رسوم الاشتراك الشهري وكم سعر الحصة الواحدة؟

   Kam rusūm al-ishtirāk ash-shahrī wa-kam siʿr al-ḥiṣṣa al-wāḥida?

   How much is the monthly membership, and how much per session?

   Usage

   Gyms in the UAE and Qatar run monthly memberships alongside session packs, and a month usually works out cheaper if you are staying more than a week. If you are asked to sign a contract, check whether it auto-renews ("al-tajdeed al-tilqaa'i"). Card payment is accepted almost everywhere

   Grammar Note

   A noun and its adjective must match in definiteness: "al-ishtiraak al-shahri". Here "kam" asks "how much" (a price) and is followed by the noun phrase "rusum al-ishtirak al-shahri" as the subject; it is not the "how many" kam + singular accusative noun construction

8. هل لديكم حصص للسيدات فقط؟

   Hal ladaykum ḥiṣaṣ lis-sayyidāt faqaṭ?

   Do you have women-only classes?

   Usage

   Women-only classes and women's hours, taught by female coaches, are standard across the Gulf. Abu Dhabi's jiu-jitsu scene has a large female membership and runs women's divisions at its tournaments. If you plan to join a mixed class, note that some gyms avoid pairing men and women for grappling, so it is worth checking first

   Grammar Note

   "Ladaa" (at, in the possession of) plus a pronoun suffix expresses having: "ladaykum" = you have. The preposition "li-" merges with the article "al-" and is written "lil-"

9. أين أجد جدول الحصص لهذا الأسبوع؟

   Ayna ajid jadwal al-ḥiṣaṣ li-hādhā al-usbūʿ?

   Where can I find this week's class timetable?

   Usage

   Gulf gyms cluster their classes in the early morning and late evening, leaving the hot middle of the day quiet. Friday has a gap around midday prayers, and during Ramadan sessions shift to after iftar, often starting at nine or ten at night. Many gyms now take bookings through an app

   Grammar Note

   The demonstrative "haadhaa" precedes a definite noun to mean "this ...": "haadhaa al-usbūʿ". The preposition "li-" is written joined to the following word, giving "li-hādhā"

10. هل يمكنك أن تريني هذه الحركة مرة أخرى؟

    Hal yumkinuka an turīnī hādhihi al-ḥaraka marra ukhrā?

    Could you show me this technique once more?

    Usage

    The most useful line when language runs out. Coaches and members in Gulf gyms are highly international and English usually works, but saying it in Arabic warms the room. Add "bi-but'" (slowly) to make the request clearer still

    Grammar Note

    "An" plus a subjunctive verb forms a "that"-clause: "an turīnī" = that you show me. "Haadhihi" is the feminine demonstrative, required because "haraka" is a feminine noun

11. متى يُسمح لي بالتدريب الحر؟

    Matā yusmaḥ lī bil-tadrīb al-ḥurr?

    When will I be allowed to join free sparring?

    Usage

    "Al-tadreeb al-ḥurr" — free training — is the Arabic for sparring, though the borrowed "sbaaring" is understood everywhere. In jiu-jitsu it typically starts once you can fall and escape safely; in striking, once your defence holds up. Let the coach decide rather than pushing to be included

    Grammar Note

    "Yusmah" is the passive of "yasmah" (to permit), formed by changing the internal vowels to u-a. The preposition "bi-" before the article is written "bil-"

12. هل يوجد دش وغرفة لتبديل الملابس؟

    Hal yūjad dushsh wa-ghurfa li-tabdīl al-malābis?

    Is there a shower and a changing room?

    Usage

    Large Gulf gyms come with changing rooms, showers and lockers as standard. Jiu-jitsu culture takes gi hygiene seriously — turning up in yesterday's sweat-soaked gi is a real breach of etiquette — and in summer a gi may not dry in a day, so two are worth having

    Grammar Note

    "Yuujad", a passive form used idiomatically, is the standard way to say "there is". The preposition "li-" plus a verbal noun expresses purpose: "a room for changing clothes"

13. أين يمكنني مشاهدة بطولة الجوجيتسو؟

    Ayna yumkinunī mushāhadat buṭūlat al-jūjītsū?

    Where can I watch a jiu-jitsu tournament?

    Usage

    Abu Dhabi is one of the world capitals of the sport: the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation runs the domestic league and the Abu Dhabi Combat Club has long staged international grappling events. The season concentrates in the cooler months from October to April, mostly at arenas around Zayed Sports City. Entry is often free or cheap and you can usually just turn up

    Grammar Note

    In an idaafa such as "buṭūlat al-jūjītsū" the article goes on the second noun only, and the taa marbuuta of the first noun is pronounced -at

14. هل عندكم حصص مواي تاي أو فنون قتالية مختلطة؟

    Hal ʿindakum ḥiṣaṣ muwāy tāy aw funūn qitāliyya mukhtaliṭa?

    Do you have Muay Thai or MMA classes?

    Usage

    Dubai and Abu Dhabi have plenty of gyms that combine jiu-jitsu with Muay Thai, kickboxing and MMA. The arena on Yas Island has hosted international MMA events and local interest is strong. A jiu-jitsu-only academy may have no ring or heavy bags at all, so check which disciplines are actually offered

    Grammar Note

    "Funuun qitāliyya mukhtaliṭa" is a literal calque of "mixed martial arts". Non-human plurals are treated as feminine singular in Arabic grammar, which is why the adjectives take feminine singular forms

15. ارفع يديك وانظر في عيني خصمك.

    Irfaʿ yadayka wānẓur fī ʿaynay khaṣmik.

    Get your hands up and look your opponent in the eye.

    Usage

    Said by the coach. During training instructions come as bare imperatives with the politeness stripped away; none of it is rudeness. Addressing a woman the endings change: "irfa'i yadayki wa-nzuri"

    Grammar Note

    Arabic has a dual number, used for naturally paired things: "yadaan" (two hands) and "'aynaan" (two eyes). The final "n" of the dual drops when a possessive suffix is attached

16. اضرب بكل قوتك ولا تتردد.

    Iḍrib bi-kull quwwatik wa-lā tataraddad.

    Strike with all your power, do not hesitate.

    Usage

    Said by the coach. The standard call from someone holding the pads who wants full commitment, and equally a signal that you are cleared to go hard. You will hear it constantly in Muay Thai and kickboxing classes

    Grammar Note

    A negative command is "laa" plus the jussive verb: "laa tataraddad". Note the prosthetic alif at the start of "idrib", a hamzat al-wasl added because Arabic words cannot begin with a consonant cluster

17. استرح خمس دقائق واشرب ماء.

    Istariḥ khams daqāʾiq washrab māʾ.

    Rest for five minutes and drink some water.

    Usage

    Said by the coach. Gulf summers pass 45 degrees outside and even an air-conditioned gym leaves you sweating heavily, so water breaks are called often. During Ramadan nothing is eaten or drunk in daylight, so this instruction only appears in the evening classes

    Grammar Note

    For the numbers three to ten Arabic uses reverse gender agreement: "daqiiqa" (minute) is feminine, so the numeral takes the masculine form "khams". This polarity is one of the classic stumbling blocks of Arabic

18. يكفي اليوم. أحسنت!

    Yakfī al-yawm. Aḥsant!

    That's enough for today. Well done!

    Usage

    Said by the coach to close the session; answer with "shukran". Jiu-jitsu classes almost everywhere finish by lining up and shaking hands with the coach and every training partner in turn. Tipping is not expected

    Grammar Note

    "Aḥsant" praises a man and "ahsanti" a woman — a fixed expression meaning "you have done well". "Al-yawm", with the article, functions adverbially as "today"

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