Japanese Terms used in Karate
This page contains the basic terms used in karate. Sensei Grahame will use them a lot, but will also translate and help - especially for lower grades. As you reach the higher grades, you will be expected to become familiar with these terms.
General terms
| Japanese | Translation | Japanese | Translation |
|---|
| Dojo | Training Hall | Dojo Kun | Dojo code |
| Sensei | Instructor | Seiza | Kneel |
| Rei | Bow | Yoi | Ready |
| Migi | Right | Hidari | Left |
| Kamae-te | Move to ready position | Hajime | Start/begin |
| Mawatte | Turn | Yame | Finish/stop |
| Gi | Karate suit | Obi | Belt |
| Kime | Focus (spirit in) | Kiai | Shout (spirit out) |
| Kihon | Basic techniques | Kata | Formal exercises |
| Kumite | Sparring | Zanshin | Martial state of mind |
| Jodan | Head | Oss | Respectful greeting |
| Chudan | Middle body | Gedan | Lower body |
|
Counting
| Japanese | Translation | Japanese | Translation |
|---|
| Ich | One | Roku | Six |
| Ni | Two | Hichi | Seven |
| San | Three | Hachi | Eight |
| Shi | Four | Ku | Nine |
| Go | Five | Ju | Ten |
Stances (Dachi)
| Japanese | Translation | Japanese | Translation |
|---|
| Heiko dachi | Natural stance | Heisoku dachi | Feet together stance |
| Musubi dachi | Informal stance | Zenkutsu dachi | Front stance |
| Kiba dachi | Straddle stance | Shiko dachi | Open leg/Sumo stance |
| Kokutsu dachi | Back stance | | |
Blocks (Uke)
| Japanese | Translation | Japanese | Translation |
|---|
| Gedan Barai | Downward block | Age Uke | Rising block |
| Soto Uke | Outside block | Uchi Uke | Inside block |
| Shuto uke | Knife hand block | Tate Shuto uke | Vertical knife hand block |
| Nagashi uke | Sweeping block | Haishu uke | Back hand block |
| Empi uke | Elbow block | Juji uke | X block |
| Morote uke | Augmented block | Kakewake uke | Wedge block |
Punches (Tsuki)
| Japanese | Translation | Japanese | Translation |
|---|
| Choku tsuki | Straight punch | Oi tsuki | Stepping punch |
| Kizami tsuki | Front hand punch | Gyaku tsuki | Reverse punch |
| Kagi tsuki | Hook punch | Ren tsuki | Two punch combination |
| Sanbon tsuki | Three punch combination | | |
Strikes (Uchi)
| Japanese | Translation | Japanese | Translation |
|---|
| Age empi uchi | Rising elbow strike | Yoko empi uchi | Side elbow strike |
| Mawashi empi uchi | Round elbow strike | Ushiro empi uchi | Reverse elbow strike |
| Tate empi uchi | Downward elbow strike | Shuto uchi | Knife hand strike |
| Uraken uchi | Back fist strike | Tetsui uchi | Hammer fist strike |
| Nukite | Spear hand thrust | Teisho uchi | Palm heel strike |
| Haito uchi | Ridge hand strike | | |
Kicks (Geri)
| Japanese | Translation | Japanese | Translation |
|---|
| Mae geri | Front kick | Yoko geri keage | Side snap kick |
| Yoko geri kekomi | Side thrust kick | Mawashi geri | Roundhouse kick |
| Ushiro geri | Back kick | Hiza geri | Knee kick |
| Ren geri | Kicking combinations stepping between kicks | Nidan geri | Two kicks with same leg without step between |
Sparring (Kumite)
| Japanese | Translation | Japanese | Translation |
|---|
| Sanbon Kumite | Three step sparring | Gohon Kumite | Five step sparring |
| Kihon Ippon Kumite | Basic one-step sparring | Jiyu Ippon Kumite | Semi-free style sparring |
| Kaishi Ippon Kumite | Reaction sparring | Jiyu Kumite | Free style sparring |