Karate Terminology

A convenient, exhaustive Karate lexicon for beginners, intermediates and advanced Karate practitioners

If you are new to Karate, or if you have trouble with different Japanese words and expressions used in Karate or just want to perfect your knowledge, this Karate glossary is for you.

In this article, I will cover the following:

Numbers
Stances
Blocking techniques
Punching techniques
Hand techniques
Elbow techniques
Kicking techniques
Knee techniques
Footwork
Evasion techniques
Commands & Phrases
Body parts
General terms
Directions
Tournament terms
Ranks & Titles
Concepts

I have put together this exhaustive Karate lexicon that contains a list of Japanese terms commonly used in Karate dojos all over the world.

World Karate Glossary

This Karate lexicon includes the Japanese words or phrases, their Kanji as well as their English translation. Enjoy!

Numbers

Ichi: One
Ni: Two
San: Three
Shi or Yon: Four
Go: Five
Roku: Six
Shichi or Nana: Seven
Hachi: Eight
Kyu: Nine
Ju: Ten
Ni Ju: Twenty
San Ju: Thirty
Yon Ju: Forty
Go Ju: Fifty
Roku Ju : Sixty
Nana Ju : Seventy
Hachi Ju : Eighty
Kyu Ju: Ninety
Hyaku: One hundred

Stances

Fudo-dachi/Sochin-dachi: Unshakable stance
Hachiji-dachi: Open natural stance
Han Zenkutsu-dachi: Half front-stance
Heiko-dachi: Parallel stance
Heisoku-dachi: Closed leg stance
Iaigoshi-dachi: One-leg kneeling stance
Ippon-ashi-dachi: One-leg stance, similar to tsuru-ashi-dachi
Kamae: Fighting posture, take a stance
Kiba-dachi/Naihanchi-dachi: Horse riding stance
Kokutsu-dachi: Back stance
Kosa-dachi: Cross-leg stance
Moto-dachi: Fontational stance
Musubi-dachi: Standing stance, heels together
Neko-ashi-dachi: Cat stance
Sanchin-dachi: Three-battles stance
Seisan-dachi: Universal stance
Seiza: Kneeling stance
Shiko-dachi/Jigotai-dachi: Horse stance, open feet
Shizentai-dachi : Natural stance
Tsuru-ashi-dachi/Sagi-ashi-dachi: Crane leg stance/Heron leg stance, similar to Ippon-ashi-dachi
Zenkutsu-dachi: Front stance

Blocking Techniques

Uke: Block
Chudan-soto-mawashi-uke: Middle sideward round block
Chudan-soto-uke : Middle outward bock
Chudan-uchi-uke : Middle inward block
Chudan-yoko-uke : Middle sideward block
Gedan-barai/Gedan-uke: Lower sweeping block/Lower level block
Gedan-yoko-barai-uke: Lower sideward sweeping block
Haito-uke : Reverse knife-hand block
Hangetsu-barai-uke: Half-moon sweeping block
Hari-uke: Sweeping block
Hasami-uke: Scissor block
Hazushi-uke : Removing block
Hiji-uke: Elbow block
Jodan-uke/Age-uke: Upper level block/rising block
Kosa-uke: Cross block
Magetori-barai-uke: Rising double knife-hand block
Makite-uke: Winding knife-hand block
Morote-barai-uke: Augmented lower block
Morote-soe-uke: Augmented forearm block, wedge block
Otoshi-uke: Dropping block
Sagurite-uke: Searching-hand block
Sasae-uke : Supported forearm block
Sayu-barai-uke: Double sweeping block
Shotei-uke: Palm heel block
Shuto-uke : Knife hand block
Sune-uke: Block with the tibia
Torite-uke: Grasping-hand block
Wari-uke: Split block

Punching Techniques

Age-zuki: Rising punch
Awase-zuki: Double vertical punch
Chudan-zuki: Middle level punch
Gedan-zuki: Lower level punch
Gyaku-zuki: Reverse punch
Hiraken-zuki: Fore-knuckle Fist
Jodan-zuki: Upper level punch
Kaku-zuki : Square punch
Kakushi-zuki: Hidden fist punch
Morote-nuki-zuki: Double spear-hand thrust
Morote-zuki: Double horizontal punch
Oi-zuki : Lunge punch, chasing punch
Oyayubi Ippon-ken: Thumb fist (thumb knuckle)
Sayu-zuki : Double side punch
Tettsui-uchi: Iron hammer strike
Tsuki/Zuki: Punch
Uchi-waza : Striking techniques
Uraken-uchi : Backfist strike

Hand Techniques

Haishu-uchi : Back of hand strike
Haito-uchi: Reverse knife-hand strike
Ippon-ken : One finger fist
Kumade-uchi: Bear hand
Nakadaka Ippon-ken: Middle finger knuckle fist
Nihon Nukite: Two finger strike
Nukite-zuki: Spear-hand thrust
Ryotoken-zuki: Fore-knuckle Fist
Shi-zuki/Toride-zuki: Chicken beak thrust/Bird hand strike
Shuto-uchi: Knife-hand strike
Teisho-uchi/Shotei-uchi: Palm strike
Washide-uchi: Eagle beak strike

Elbow Techniques

Mawashi-hiji-ate: Circular elbow strike
Sasae-hiji-ate: Assisted elbow strike
Tate-hiji-ate : Upward elbow strike
Ushiro-hiji-ate : Backward elbow strike
Yoko-hiji-ate : Side elbow strike

Kicking Techniques

Ashi-barai: Leg sweep
Ashi-dome : Lower abdomen/groin stop kick
Fukubu-geri : Abdomen kick
Gyaku-mikazuki-geri : Reverse crescent moon kick (towards the outside)
Keri-age, Keage: Snap kick, rising kick
Keri-komi, Kekomi: Thrust kick
Kinteki-geri Groin kick
Kyobu-geri: Chest area kick
Mae-geri: Front kick
Mae-geri-kakato : Front kick with the heel
Mae-tobi-geri : Flying front kick
Mawashi-geri: Round-house kick with top of foot
Mikazuki-geri: Crescent moon kick (towards the inside)
Sokuto-geri: Foot-edge kick
Tsumasaki-geri: Toe kick
Ura mawashi-geri: Back roundhouse kick or hook kick
Ushiro-geri: Back kick
Yoko-geri: Side kick
Yoko-tobi-geri: Fying side-kick

Knee Strikes

Mae-hiza-geri : Front knee kick
Mae-tobi-hiza-geri: Flying front knee kick
Mawashi-hiza-geri: Circular knee kick
Mawashi-tobi-hiza-geri: Flying circular knee kick

Footwork

Ayumi-ashi: Almost like normal walking
Hiki-ashi : Backward step, same side
Hiraki-ashi : Outside step (dodge)
Kosa-ashi : Switching side
Okuri-ashi: Forward crossed step
Tenkan-Ashi : Pivot (180 degree)
Tsugi-ashi: Rear foot reaches front foot, then front foot moves forward (half step)
Yori-ashi : Half step, same side in front

Evasion Techniques

Naname-mae-sabaki: Front oblique evasion
Naname-ushiro-sabaki: Rear oblique evasion
Yoko-sabaki : Side evasion

Commands & Phrases

Arigato Gozaimasu: Thank you very much
Doitashimashite : You're welcome
Hai: Yes
Hajime: Begin
Hantai: Other direction
Irimi: Entering straight
Kamaete: On guard, take position
Kiotsuke: Attention
Matte: Wait
Mawatte: Turn around
Moichido: Once more, again
Mokuso: Meditation, let's start meditation
Mokuso yame : Let's stop meditation
Narande: Line up
Onegaishimasu : Please (teach me)
Otagai ni Rei : Bow to everyone
Rei: Bow
Sayonara: Goodbye
Sensei ni Rei : Bow to the teacher
Sensei ni Taishi: Face the teacher
Shomen ni Rei : Bow to the front
Shomen ni Taishi: Face the front
Shugo: Line up, gather together
Soto: Outside
Sumimasen: Excuse me, sorry
Tatte kudasai : Stand up
Yame: Stop
Yoi: Ready, attention

Body Parts

Ago: Chin, jaw
Ashi: Foot and/or leg
Ashi-kubi : Ankle
Atama: Head
Haisoku : Reverse foot (instep)
Hana: Nose
Hiji, Empi: Elbow
Hiza: Knee
Kakato: Heel
Ken: Fist
Koshi: Hips
Koshi/Zenzoku : Ball of foot
Kubi: Neck
Me: Eye
Mune: Chest
Nodo: Throat
Shinkei : Nerve
Soku: Foot
Sokutei: Sole of the foot
Sokuto: Foot blade, foot edge
Suigetsu: Solar plexus
Sune: Shin
Te: Hand
Tekubi: Wrist
Tsumasaki : Toe
Ude: Forearm
Wanto: Sword arm (side of forearm)
Yubi: Finger

General Terms

Ai: Harmony, cooperation
Ashi Sabaki: Footwork
Atemi: Strike on vulnerable points
Barai: Sweep
Budo: Martial arts
Bunkai: Analysis
Bushido: The way of the warrior
Chinkuchi : Puching strike
Chudan: Middle level (height)
Dai Ichi: The first
Dan: Degrees of black belt
Deai: Counter-attack
Deshi: Student, pupil
Dojo: Place to learn the way
Dojo Kun: Code of the school
Embusen : Kata line of movement
Gedan: Low level (height)
Gi: Karate uniform
Goshin Jutsu: Self defense techniques
Hai: Yes
Hidari : Left
Hyoshi: Rythm, tempo
Iie: No
Jiyu Kumite : Freestyle sparring
Jodan: High level (height)
Kamiza: Seat of honor, shrine
Karateka: Karate student
Kata: Form
Ki: Energy
Kiai: Spirit yell
Kihon: Basics
Kime: Striking energy
Kokyu: Breathing
Kokyu Ho: Breathing methods
Koudansha: A high level black belt
Kumite: Sparring
Maai: Distance
Makiwara: Striking board
Migi: Right
Muchimi : Soft yet explosive technique
Mudansha: One who is not a black belt
Obi: Karate belt
Oyo: Bunkai extract or application
Ritsurei: Standing bow
Shiai: Sparring match
Tai Sabaki/Sabaki : Defensive body movement, dodge
Tameshiwari : Breaking (boards, bricks, etc.)
Uke: Person who "receives" a technique
Ushiro: Back, rear
Waza: Technique
Waza: Technique
Yakusoku Kumite : Pre-arranged sparring
Yuudansha : A person who is a black belt
Zarei: Sitting bow

Directions

Mae: Front, before
Naka: Inside
Naname: Oblique
Shita: Under
Ue: Over
Ushiro : Back, behind, rear
Yoko: Side, besides, aside

Tournament Terms

(Aka/Shiro) no Kachi: (red/white) wins!
Aiuchi: Simultaneous strike
Aka: Red
Hansoku Chui: Foul warning (point awarded to opponent)
Ippon: One point
Jogai: Out of the ring (exclusion)
Moto no Ichi: Starting position
Mubobi: Failing to defend yourself
Sanbon Kumite : Three-point sparring match
Shiai: Tournament combat
Shikkaku: Disqualification
Shiro: White
Torimasen : No point
Waza-ari: Half point

Ranks & Titles

Dan: Ranks of black belt
Godan: Fifth degree black belt
Gokyu: Fifth level
Hachidan: Eighth degree black belt
Hanshi: Master teacher
Judan: Tenth degree black belt
Kudan: Ninth degree black belt
Kyoshi: Expert teacher
Kyu: Ranks below black belt
Mukyu: No level
Nanadan : Seventh degree black belt
Nidan: Second degree black belt
Renshi: Senior teacher
Rokudan : Sixth degree black belt
Sandan: Third degree black belt
Sempai/Senpai: Senior student
Sensei: Teacher
Shidoin : Assistant instructor
Shidoshi: Dojo manager
Shihan: Teacher of teachers
Shodan: First degree black belt
Yondan: Fourth degree black belt

Concepts

Fudoshin: Unshakable, fearless mind
Mushin: Empty, non-attached mind
Zanshin : Mental clarity, vigilance
Go no Sen: To respond to an attack after it is initiated
Sen no Sen: To anticipate an attack and to take the initiative
Sensen no Sen: To anticipate an attack before the attack

Conclusion

I hope you learned a few new Karate words, I know I did while researching for this article.

If you feel that I'm missing something or that I made a mistake, please send me a mail and let me know.

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