Basic Terminology
If a karateka learns the Japanese karate terminology, she/he will be able to enter any karate dojo in the world and able to understand and workout. Many Japanese letters sound the same as they do in English, but some letters are pronounced or written differently. To learn the Japanese sounds of these letters, study the following chart.
Sounds
| Japanese sound |
English sound |
Example |
| a |
ah |
aka (ah-ka) |
| ai |
i |
Shotokai (as in eye) |
| e |
eh |
hajime
(as in let) |
| ei |
ay |
Sensei
(as in day) |
| i |
ee |
Obi(oh-bee) |
| o |
oh |
dojo (doh-joh) |
| oi |
oy |
kiiroi (key-roy) (as in boy) |
| u |
oo |
uchi (oo-chee) |
In Japanese, the letter “r” is never emphasized. It is pronounced like a soft “d”. The letter “g” is always pronounced like the “g” in go.
General Terms
| Term |
Meaning |
| Karate | Empty Hands |
| Karate Do | The Way of Karate |
| Do | Way |
| Karateka | Practitioner of Karate |
| Dojo | School or training room |
| Sensei | Teacher |
| Sempai | Senior |
| Kohai | Junior |
| Shihan | Master Instructor |
| Kyu | Rank |
| Gi | Uniform |
| Obi | Belt |
| Hai | Yes |
| Iie | No |
| Osu | "I understand and will try my best."
Also used to show respect, enthusiasm.
Do not use outside of the dojo! |
| Budo | Way of combat |
| Zanshin | Poise and control |
| Kime | Focus |
| Kihon | Fundamentals/Basics |
| Kiai | Spirit shout/focus of spiritual energy |
| Kata | Practice form |
| Embusen | Floor pattern/lines of a kata |
| Maai | Distance |
| Bunkai | Application (interpretation) of kata techniques |
| Kumite | Sparring/fighting |
| Ippon kumite | One-step sparring |
| Jiyyu kumite | Free sparring |
| Waza | Technique |
| Dachi | Stance |
| Tsuki (Zuki) | Punch |
| Uchi | Strike |
| Uke | Block |
| Rei | Bow |
| Waza | Technique |
| Geri | Kick |
| Kamae | Posture |
| Shotokan | "House of Shoto”; “Pine Sea”; pen name of Funakoshi. |
| Mokuso | Meditate/Gather Your Thoughts |
| Dozo | Please |
| Domo Arigato Gozaimashita | "Thank-you very much" |
| Onegai Shimasu | "I welcome you to train with me " Literally: " I make a request." Said to one's partner when initiating practice. |
Dachi Waza (stances)
| Stance |
Meaning |
| Kamae | Posture (Yoi) |
| Heisoku dachi | Formal Attention Stance (Yoi) |
| Zenkutsu dachi | Front Stance |
| Kokutsu dachi | Back Stance |
| Kiba dachi | Straddle Stance |
| Fudo dachi | Fighting Stance |
| Musubi dachi | Informal Attention Stance (feet in a 'V') |
| Hachiji dachi | Open-legged Stance (Yoi) |
| Shizen-tai dachi | Natural Stance |
| Neko-ashi dachi | Cat Stance |
| Kosa dachi | Cross-legged Stance |
| Hangetsu dachi | Wide Hour-glass Stance |
Uke Waza (blocks)
| Block |
Meaning |
| Age uke | Rising block |
| Gedan uke | Down block |
| Soto ude uke | Outside forearm block |
| Uchi ude uke | Inside forearm block |
| Shuto uke | Knife block |
Geri Waza (kicks)
| Kick |
Meaning |
| Yoko geri keage | Side snap kick |
| Yoko geri kekomi | Side thrust kick |
| Mawashi geri | Round kick |
| Ushiro geri | Back thrust kick |
| Mae geri keage | Front snap kick |
| Soto mikazuki geri | Outside crescent kick |
| Tobi geri | Flying kick |
| Name ashi geri | Returning wave kick (Tekki 1) |
| Hiza geri | Knee kick/strike |
Tsuki Waza (punches)
| Punch |
Meaning |
| Oi tsuki | Lunge punch |
| Gyaku tsuki | Reverse punch |
| Kizami tsuki | Jab |
| Choku tsuki | Straight punch |
| Kagi tsuki | Hook punch |
| Oi-gyaku tsuki | Lunging reverse punch |
| Ura tsuki | Close punch |
| Morote tsuki | Parallel punch |
| Ren tsuki | Double punch |
| San tsuki | Triple punch |
Counting
| Count |
Meaning |
| Ichi | One |
| Ni | Two |
| San | Three |
| Shi | Four |
| Go | Five |
| Roku | Six |
| Shichi | Seven |
| Hachi | Eight |
| Ku | Nine |
| Ju | Ten |
| NiJu | Twenty |
| NiJu-Go | Twenty-five |
| Hyaku | One Hundred |
| Ippon | First |
| Yon | Fourth |
| Gohon | Fifth |
