Karate Terminology

Karate Terminology

Counting in Japanese

One
Ichi
Two
Ni
Three
San
Four
Shi
Five
Go
Six
Roku
Seven
Shichi
Eight
Hachi
Nine
Ku
Ten
Ju


Stances

Yoi: Attention
Shizentai: Natural Stance
Shiko Dachi: Sumo Stance
Kiba Dachi: Straddle "Horse" Stance
Kake Dachi: Hooked Stance
Zenkutsu Dachi: Forward Stance
Kokutsu Dachi: Back Facing Stance
Neko Ashi Dachi: Cat Stance
Tsuruashi Dachi: Crane Stance
Sanchin Dachi: Inward Tension Stance


Blocks

Harai uke
Downward block

Yoko uke
Inside middle block

Yoko uchi
Outside middle block

Jodan uke
Upper block

Sukui uke
Scoop block

Shuto uke
Knife-hand block

Juji uke
"X" block

Morote yoko uke
Augmented inside middle block

Kakiwake uke
Wedge block

Teisho uke
Palm-heel block

Haishu uke
Back-hand block

Nami ashi
Inside foot-snapping block

Mikazuke geri uke
Crescent kick block

Kuro tora
Black tiger


Hand Thrusting Techniques

Seiken tsuki
Basic practice punch

Gyaku tsuki
Reverse punch

Oi tsuki
Lunge punch

Ura tsuki
Close punch

Tate tsuki
Upright fist punch

Mawashi tsuki
Roundhouse punch

Kagi tsuki
Hook punch

Yama tsuki
"U" punch

Morote tsuki
Double punch

Hasami tsuki
Scissor punch

Nukite
Finger thrust


Hand Striking Techniques

Shuto
Knife hand

Uraken (Riken uchi)
Back fist strike

Tetsui
Back fist strike

Empi uchi
Elbow strike

Haishu uchi
Back hand strike

Haito uchi
Ridge hand strike

Teisho uchi
Palm hand strike


Kicking

Mae geri keage
Front snap kick

Mae geri kekomi
Front thrust kick

Yoko geri keage
Side snap kick

Yoko geri kekomi
Side thrust kick

Mawashi geri
Roundhouse kick

Ushiro geri keage
Back snap kick

Ushiro geri kekomi
Back thrust kick

Ushiro mawashi geri
Spinning back kick

Kittsui geri
Knee kick

Mae tobe geri
Flying front kick

Yoko tobe geri
Flying side kick

Fumikomi
Stamping kick

Mikazuke geri
Crescent kick

Gyaku mawashi geri
Reverse Roundhouse Kick


Other Terminology

"Ohsh" or "Oohsh"
Karate greeting denoting respect

Lei
Bow

Dojo
Training Ha

Sensei
Instructor

Sempai
Senior

Mokuso
Meditation

Karate do
The way of Karate

Samurai
Warrior

Bushido
Code of the Samurai

Budo
Martial Arts

Karate Gi
Karate training suit

Obi
Belt

Kata
Prearranged fighting forms

Hajime
Start (Begin)

Yasume
Rest

Yame
Stop

Shomen
Front

Yoi
Ready

Kihon Kumite
Basic Sparring practice

Ippon Kumite
1 Point prearranged Sparring practice

Sanbon Kumite
3 Point prearranged Sparring practice

Jiyu Kumite
Free Sparring

Kyu
Grades lower than Black Belt

Dan
Black Belt degree or level

Karate
"The Empty Hand"