Terminology

Vowels / Pronunciation

“A” as in father.
“E” as in set.
“I” as in unique.
“O” as in go.
“U” as in rude.
“G” is hard as in go.
“R” is rolled and close to “L”.
“U” — trailing U’s are silent.

General Terms

Arigato Gozaimashita – Thank You Very Much
Bunkai – Applications of Kata
Chudan – Torso level
Dachi – Stance
Dan – Black Belt Grade
Dojo – Martial Arts Training Club
Domo – Thanks
Gedan – Below the belt level
Gi – Karate Uniform
Geri – Kick
Gohon Kumite – Five Step Sparring
Gyaku – Reverse/Opposite ie: left leg back, left arm technique front
Hai – Yes
Hajime – Begin
Hara – Central Point of Body; Person’s Centre
Jodan – Face Level
Jun – Normal/Matching ie: left leg front, left arm technique front
Junbi – Ready
Jutsu – Techniques
Kamae – Ready Stance
Karateka – One Who Practices Karate
Kata – Set of Pre-Arranged Techniques
Kiai – Shout/Focusing Spirit with Technique
Kime – Focus
Ippon Kumite – One Point Sparring
Jiyu Kumite – Free Sparring
Kumite – Sparring
Kyu – Coloured Belt Grade
Makiwara – Punching Board
Maware/Mawatte – Turn
Mokuso (Mokso) – Meditation
Obi – Belt
Osu (“Oos”) – Respectful Karate Greeting/Thanks
Rei – Bow
Ritsurei – Standing Bow
Seiza – Formal Kneeling Posture
Sempai – Lower Dan Grade / Senior Student
Sensei – Instructor / Teacher
Shiai – Contest
Shinsa – Grading
Suware – Sit
Tai Sabaki – Body Shifting / Evasion Movement
Tate/Tatte – Stand
Toya – After Grading Party
Tsuki – Punch
Uchi – Strike
Uke – Block
Yame – Stop/Finish
Yasume – Rest
Yoi – Ready Position

Counting

1 – Ichi
2 – Ni
3 – San
4 – Shi
5 – Go
6 – Roku
7 – Shichi
8 – Hachi
9 – Ku
10 – Ju
11 – Juichi
12 – Juni
13 – Jusan
14 – Jushi
15 – Jugo
16 – Juroku
17 – Jushichi
18 – Juhachi
19 – Juku
20 – Niju

Stances

Hachiji Dachi – Natural Stance (feet shoulder width apart – toes slightly pointed out)
Heiko Dachi – Parallel stance (feet shoulder width apart)
Heisoku Dachi – Closed foot stance (feet together)
Ju dachi – Fighting stance
Kiba Dachi – Horse Stance
Kokutsu Dachi – Back Stance
Musubi Dachi – Formal Stance (Feet 45 Degrees)
Neko Ashi Dachi – Cat Stance
Sanchin Dachi – Hourglass stance
Zenkutsu Dachi – Forward Stance

Kicks

Hiza Geri – Knee Kick
Kakato Geri – Heel Kick
Mae Geri – Front Kick
Mae Geri Keage – Front Snap Kick
Mae Geri Kekomi – Front Thrust Kick
Mawashi Geri – Roundhouse Kick
Mikazuki Geri – Crescent Kick
Tobi Geri – Flying Kick
Ushiro Geri – Back Kick
Yoko Geri – Side Kick
Yoko Geri Keage – Side Snap Kick
Yoko Geri Kekomi – Side Thrust Kick

Hand / Arm Techniques

Age Tsuki – Rising Punch
Empi Uchi – Elbow Strike
Jun Tsuki – Punch with the lead arm when stationary or moving back/away
Gyaku Tsuki – Punch with the rear arm
Haito Uchi – Ridge Hand Strike
Kagi Tsuki – Hook Punch
Nukite – Spear Hand Strike
Oi Tsuki – Punch with the lead arm (when stepping forward – lunge)
Shuto Uchi – Knife Hand Strike
Tate-tsuki – Vertical fist punch into the middle of the chest (short-range)
Teisho – Palm Heel Strike
Tettsui – Hammer Fist
Tsuki – Punch
Ura Tsuki – Uppercut
Uraken – Back Fist

Blocks

Age Uke – Rising / Upper Block
Gedan Barai – Downward Block
Juji Uke – X Block
Morote Uke – Augmented Forearm Block
Shuto Uke – Knife Hand Block
Soto Uke – Outside to In Forearm Block
Ude Uke – Inside to Out Forearm Block

Parts of Body

Ashi – Leg/Foot
Chudan – Middle Level
Jodan – Head Level
Gedan – Lower Level
Haisoku – Instep of Foot
Hidari – Left (side)
Hiza – Knee
Kakato – Heel of Foot
Migi – Right (side)

Kumite Terms

Aiuchi – Clash
Aka no kachi – Red Wins
Attate Iru – Contact
Chui – Warning
Fukushin Shugo – Judges Conference
Hansoku – Foul
Hantai – Decision
Hikiwake – Draw
Ippon – Full Point
Jogai – Running Out of Ring
Maai – Fighting Distance
Mawaru – Turn Around
Mienai – Could Not See
No Kachi – Winner
Shiro no kachi – White Wins
Tornadi – Not enough/No Point
Yoshi – Continue
Wazaari – Half Point