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

Hajime – Begin
Junbi – Ready
Ritsurei – Standing Bow
Tsuki – Punch
Uke – Block
Uchi – Strike
Yame – Stop/Finish
Yasume – Rest
Arigato Gozaimashita – Thank You Very Much
Bunkai – Applications of Kata
Dan – Black Belt Grade
Dachi – Stance
Dojo – Martial Arts Training Place
Domo – Thanks
Gi – Karate Uniform
Geri – Kick
Hara – Central Point of Body; Person’s Centre
Hai – Yes
Jutsu – Techniques
Kata – Set of Pre-Arranged Techniques
Kamae – Fighting Stance
Kime – Focus
Karateka – One Who Practices Karate
Kiai – Shout/Focusing Spirit with Technique
Ippon Kumite – One Point Sparring
Jiyu Kumite – Free Sparring
Gohon Kumite – Five Step 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
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
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

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

Kicks

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

Hand / Arm Techniques

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

Blocks

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

Parts of Body

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

Kumite Terms

Ippon (ee-pon) – Full Point
Aiuchi (hi-uchee) – Clash
Hansoku (han-sock-oo) – Foul
Yoshi (yo-she) – Continue
Aka no kachi – Red Wins
Maai (my) – Fighting Distance
Wazaari (wa-zar-ee) – Half Point
Attate Iru (a-tatu-ay-e-ru) – Contact
Mawaru (ma-waroo) – Turn Around
Hantai (han-tay) – Decision
Shiro no kachi – White Wins
Fukushin Shugo (foo-koo-shin shu-go) – Judges Conference
Tornadi (tor-ran-day) – Not enough/No Point
Chui (chew-i) – Warning
Jogai (jo-guy) – Running Out of Ring
No Kachi (no-kach-ee) – Winner
Mienai (may-ni) – Could Not See
Hikiwake – Draw