In most martial arts classes, counting is performed using the native language of the art itself.  Just as in bowing to an instructor or an opponent, this is just a characteristic of martial arts.

When training in martial arts, it is a good idea to know how to count in the native language.  There will be a time when you are called upon to actually count aloud for the class or even lead the class; then you had better know how to count.

Normally, counting in martial arts goes up to 10 or even 20.  This is due to the many different techniques and drills that any martial artist must practice.  When practicing basic techniques or drills, a martial artist will go through the same technique on each side of the body for 10 to 20 times; and then move to the next drill for the same duration.

If you would like more instruction on martial arts, check out these martial arts tutorials.

Counting in martial arts is also a very effective tool in teaching less experienced students to have more patience.  It also allows the sensei to view every student individually.

Below, I’ve listed some popular martial arts languages used for counting.

Cantonese Martial Arts Counting

1 - Yat
2 - Yi
3 - Sam
4 - Sei
5 - Mm
6 - Look
7 - Chat
8 - Baat
9 - Gau
10 - Sap
11 - Sap Yat
12 - Sap Yi
13 - Sap Sam
14 - Sap Sei
15 - Sap Mm
16 - Sap Look
17 - Sap Chat
18 - Sap Baat
19 - Sap Gau
20 - Yi Sap

Japanese Martial Arts Counting

1 - Ichi
2 - Ni
3 - San
4 - Shi
5 - Go
6 - Roku
7 - Shichi
8 - Hachi
9 - Kyu
10 - Ju
11 - Ju Ichi
12 - Ju Ni
13 - Ju San
14 - Ju Shi
15 - Ju Go
16 - Ju Roku
17 - Ju Shichi
18 - Ju Hachi
19 - Ju Kyu
20 - Ni Ju

Korean Martial Arts Counting

1 - Hana
2 - Dul
3 - Set
4 - Net
5 - Daseot
6 - Yeoseot
7 - Ilgop
8 - Yeodeol
9 - Ahop
10 - Yeol
11 - Yeol Hana
12 - Yeol Dul
13 - Yeol Set
14 - Yeol Net
15 - Yeol Daseot
16 - Yeol Yeoseot
17 - Yeol Ilgop
18 - Yeol Yeodeol
19 - Yeol Ahop
20 - Seumul

Mandarin Martial Arts Counting

1 - Yi
2 - Er
3 - San
4 - Si
5 - Wu
6 - Liu
7 - Qi
8 - Ba
9 - Jiu
10 - Shi
11 - Shi Yi
12 - Shi Er
13 - Shi San
14 - Shi Si
15 - Shi Wu
16 - Shi Liu
17 - Shi Qi
18 - Shi Ba
19 - Shi Jiu
20 - Er Shi

If you liked this guide, please check out my other Martial Arts Guides on eBay and let me know what you think.

Need any Martial Arts supplies?  Check out my Martial Arts Supply Store.