A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – J – K – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W – X – Y – Z
| Age Tsuki |
Rising Punch |
| Age Uke |
Rising Block (Upper Block) |
| Arigato Guzaimasu |
Thank You. |
| Ashi Barai |
Foot/Leg Sweep |
| Ate Waza |
Smashing Technique |
| Bo |
Staff |
| Bunkai |
Application, explanation, or analysis of technique. |
| Chudan |
Middle Area |
| Dachi |
Stance |
| Dachi Waza |
Stepping Technique |
| Dan |
“Man” Rank. Black belt rank. |
| Do |
“The Way” – a school of thought or direction in life. |
| Dojo |
“Way Place” – Training hall or karate school. |
| Domo Arigato Guzaimasu |
Thank You (formal). |
| Dozo |
Please (implies an action, i.e. – please be seated). |
| Empi |
Elbow |
| Fudo Dachi |
Free Stance |
| Gedan |
Lower Area |
| Gedan Barai |
Downward Striking Block |
| Geri Waza |
Kicking Technique |
| Gi |
Karate Uniform |
| Go |
Hard or the number Five |
| Goju Ryu Karate-do |
The Way of Hard and Soft, Empty-Handed Technique |
| Gyaku |
Reverse, also Back or Trailing |
| Gyuku Tsuki |
Reverse Punch |
| Hachiji Dachi |
Natural Stance |
| Hai |
Yes |
| Haito |
Ridge Hand |
| Han Zenkutsu Dachi |
Half Front Stance |
| Haraiotoshi Uke |
Downward Sweeping Block |
| Harai Sho Uke |
Archer Palm Block |
| Heiko Dachi |
Parallel Stance |
| Heisoku Dachi |
Closed Foot Stance (formal attention stance) |
| Hidari |
Left |
| Hiji |
Elbow |
| Hajime |
Start or Begin |
| Hanshi |
Chief Grand Master Instructor |
| Himetsu |
Secret or Hidden |
| Ibuki |
Breathing with tension. |
| Ippon (Nippon, Sanbon…) |
One Point (Two Points, Three…) |
| Ippon Kumite |
One Point Sparring |
| Iie |
No |
| Joge Uke |
Middle-Lower Block |
| Ju |
Soft or the number Ten |
| Jiyu Kumite |
Freestyle Sparring |
| Jodan |
Upper Area |
| Kakato |
Heel |
| Kake Uke |
Wrist Hook Block |
| Kakuto Uke |
Crane Head Block |
| Kamae |
Posture |
| Karate |
Empty Hand |
| Karate-do |
The Way of the Empty Hand |
| Kata |
Form or Formal Exercise |
| Kiba Dachi |
Horse (Riding) Stance |
| Kihon |
Basic Techniques (i.e. – blocks, strikes, kicks) |
| Kihonido |
Basic Techniques with Linear Movement |
| Kime |
Focus |
| Kobu-do |
The study of traditional weapons. |
| Kohai |
Junior Student (lower rank) |
| Kokutsu Dachi |
Back Stance |
| Kokyu Donto |
Respiration |
| Kubi Uchi |
Swinging Arm Strike |
| Kuchi Waza |
Mouthing Technique |
| Kumite |
Sparring or Fighting |
| Kun |
School creed. Also, bo or staff. |
| Kyoshi |
Grand Master Instructor |
| Kyu |
“Boy” Rank. Beginner level rank. |
| Ma Te |
“Listen” or “Attention here” |
| Migi |
Right |
| Musubi Dachi |
Knot Shaped Stance (informal attention stance) |
| Mo Ichi Do |
“One More Time” |
| Mokuso |
Meditation |
| Mushin |
No Mind |
| Mushin no Shin |
The Mind of No Mind |
| Neko Ashi Dachi |
Cat Foot Stance |
| Noalte |
Finish or formal closing. |
| No |
Of |
| Obi |
Belt |
| Onegai Shimasu |
Asking for a favor (i.e. – Please teach me). |
| Osae Uke |
Press Block |
| O-Sensei |
The founder of a particular style of karate-do. |
| Rei |
Bow, salutation. |
| Renshi |
Senior Instructor |
| Ryu |
Technique (refers to a style of karate-do). |
| Sagi Ashi Dachi |
Heron Foot Stance |
| Seiza |
Meditation Posture |
| Sempai |
Senior Student (higher rank) or Assistant Instructor |
| Sensei |
Guide, Instructor, Teacher, One Who Has Gone Before |
| Shiai |
Contest or Tournament |
| Shigata Gai Ni |
You’re Welcome. |
| Shihan |
Master Instructor |
| Surretsu |
Line Up |
| Tanden |
Lower Abdomen |
| Ta Te (Ken Tsuki) |
Chinese Punch |
| Tae Kiyoko |
Compass Points (a preparation for kata). |
| Te |
Hand |
| Tsukete |
Resume or Start Again |
| Tsuki Waza |
Punching Technique |
| Uchi Waza |
Striking Technique |
| Ude Uke |
Forearm Block |
| Uke Waza |
Blocking Technique |
| Ush |
Yes (usually used only in karate). |
| Waza |
Technique (refers to a group of techniques, such as “blocks”). |
| Yakusoku Kumite |
Prearranged Sparring |
| Yame |
Stop |
| Yoi |
Ready |
| Yoko Geri |
Side Kick |
| Yoko Uke |
Middle Block |
| Zanshin |
Fighting Spirit |
| Zenkutsu Dachi |
Front Bent Leg Stance |
Notes on the Japanese Language:
- The Japanese language has no sound for the letters L and V. Instead, R and B are often substituted when pronouncing non-Japanese words.
- The English letters Q and X represent compound sounds – kw and ks, respectively. Since Japanese uses a totally different alphabet, Japanese words are translated phonetically, using certain pronunciation rules. Because is it a phonetic translation there is no need for Q or X, as they are broken down into their component sounds.
- As a general rule, all Japanese words and syllables end in either a vowel or an N. Sometimes, however, the final vowel is not fully pronounced. Thus, “Ichi, Ni, San…” becomes “Ich, Ni, San…”
