Capoeira terms: a glossary for beginners

Capoeira is taught in Portuguese words, and the first few classes can feel like learning a language as well as a martial art. These are the words you will hear most often.

The game and the circle

• Roda (HO-dah). The circle of people in which capoeira is played, with the musicians at its head.
• Jogo. The game: what two players do in the roda. You do not fight capoeira, you play it.
• Capoeirista. Someone who practices capoeira.
• Axé (ah-SHEH). The energy of a good roda; also a greeting and a word of encouragement.
• Volta ao mundo. "Around the world": the players walk around the circle together, a pause in the game.

Movements

• Ginga (JEEN-gah). The constant swaying step every other movement comes from.
• Esquiva. An escape: moving out of the way of a kick.
• Negativa. A low escape close to the ground.
• Rolê. A low turning movement used to move around the roda.
• Au (ah-OO). A cartwheel, done in many variations.
• Meia lua de frente. "Front half moon": a kick that sweeps across in front of the body.
• Armada. A spinning kick.
• Queixada. An outward sweeping kick.
• Martelo. "Hammer": a kick that strikes with the top of the foot.
• Bênção. "Blessing": a straight push kick to the body.

Music

• Bateria. The group of musicians and instruments at the head of the roda.
• Berimbau. The single-string bow that leads the music.
• Toque. A rhythm played on the berimbau that sets the kind of game.
• Pandeiro and atabaque. Frame drum and tall hand drum.
• Ladainha, chula and corrido. Types of song: a solo litany, a call of praise, and the call-and-response songs that keep the roda going.

People and ceremony

• Mestre. Master: the most senior teachers.
• Instrutor, professor, contra-mestre. Teaching ranks below mestre; the exact ladder varies by group.
• Batizado. The ceremony where students receive their first cord, often with guests and visiting teachers.
• Corda or cordão. The cord worn at the waist to show a student's level.
• Apelido. A capoeira nickname, often given at a student's batizado.