The following is a list of Japanese terms commonly used in karate training. Some of these terms are used at the Academy of Traditional Karate, though many more are included for reference. The typical pronunciations and English meanings are given, along with a kanji representation where available. These are not presented as the literal translations, but rather how the terms are generally used in karate training. They have been researched and compiled from a rich variety of sources across the web.
Kazu (Numbers)
Japanese | Phonetic | Kanji | English |
---|---|---|---|
Kazu | kah-zoo | 数 | Numbers |
Rei | ray | 零 | Zero |
Ichi | eech | 一 | One |
Ni | nee | 二 | Two |
San | san | 三 | Three |
Shi (Yon) | she | 四 | Four |
Go | go | 五 | Five |
Roku | roke | 六 | Six |
Shichi (Nana) | seech | 七 | Seven |
Hachi | hach | 八 | Eight |
Ku (Kyu) | koo | 九 | Nine |
Ju | joo | 十 | Ten |
Ju Ichi | joo eech | 十一 | Eleven |
Ju Ni | joo nee | 十二 | Twelve |
Ju San | joo san | 十三 | Thirteen |
Ju Shi | joo she | 十四 | Fourteen |
Japanese | Phonetic | Kanji | English |
---|---|---|---|
Ju Go | joo go | 十五 | Fifteen |
Ju Roku | joo roke | 十六 | Sixteen |
Ju Shichi | joo seech | 十七 | Seventeen |
Ju Hachi | joo hach | 十八 | Eighteen |
Ju Ku | joo koo | 十九 | Nineteen |
Ni Ju | nee joo | 二十 | Twenty |
Ni Ju Ichi | nee joo eech | 二十一 | Twenty One, etc. |
San Ju | san joo | 三十 | Thirty |
Yon Ju | yon joo | 四十 | Forty |
Go Ju | go joo | 五十 | Fifty |
Roku Ju | roke joo | 六十 | Sixty |
Nana Ju | nana joo | 七十 | Seventy |
Hachi Ju | hach joo | 八十 | Eighty |
Ku Ju | ku joo | 九十 | Ninety |
Hya ku | hya koo | 百 | One Hundred |
Tachikata (Stances)
Japanese | Phonetic | Kanji | English |
---|---|---|---|
Tachikata | tah-chee kah-tah | 立方 | Stances (lit. Standing Methods) |
Tachi, -dachi | tah-chee, dah-chee | 立ち | Stance |
Fudo-dachi, Sochin-dachi, Sanchin-dachi |
foo-doe dah-chee, san-chin dah-chee |
不動立 三戦立 |
Immovable Stance, Hourglass Stance (lit. three-battles stance) |
Genkaku-dachi Tsuri-ashi-dachi Sagi-ashi-dachi |
ghen-kah-koo dah-chee tsoo-ree ah-she dah-chee sah-gee ah-she dah-chee |
厳鶴立 鶴足立 鷺足立 |
Rigid Crane Stance Crane Leg Stance Heron Leg Stance |
Heiko-dachi | hay-koh dah-chee | 平行立 | Parallel Stance |
Heisoku-dachi | hay-sow-koo dah-chee | 閉足立 | Closed-foot Stance |
Iaigoshi-dachi | ee-ai go-she dah-chee | 居合腰立 | Kneeling Stance |
Ippon-ashi-dachi | ee-pohn ah-she-dah-chee | 一本足立 | One-leg Stance |
Kamae | kah-mah-eh | 構え | Fighting Posture, Take a Stance |
Kiba-dachi Naihanchi-dachi |
key-bah dah-chee nai-han-chee dah-chee |
騎馬立 | Horse Riding Stance |
Kokutsu-dachi | koe-koo-tsu dah-chee | 後屈立 | Back-leg-bent Stance (lit. back-ducking Stance) |
Kosa-dachi | koe-sah dah-chee | 交差立 | Cross-leg Stance |
Kumite-dachi Moro-ashi-dachi Moto-dachi |
koo-mih-tay dah-chee moh-row ah-she da-hchee moh-tow dah-chee |
組手立 | Fighting Stance |
Musubi-dachi | moo-sue-be dah-chee | 結立 | Heels Together Stance (lit. tying-together Stance) |
Naname Zenkutsu-dachi | nah-nah-may zen-koo-tsue dah-chee | 斜め前屈立 | Slanted Front-leg-bent Stance (lit. Diagonal Front-ducking Stance) |
Nekoashi-dachi | neh-koh ah-she-dah-chee | 貓足立 | Cat Stance |
Seisan-dachi | say-san dah-chee | 十三立 | Forward Stance |
Seiza | say-zah | 正座 | Sit/Kneel Quietly |
Shiko-dachi Jigotai-dachi |
she-koe dah-chee jih-go-tie dah-chee |
四股立 | Wide Open-leg Stance |
Shizentai-dachi | shih-zen-tie dah-chee | 自然体立 | Natural Stance |
Soto-Hachiji-dachi | soh-toh-hah-chee-jee dah-chee | 外八時立 | Open Natural Stance (feet point outward (外) at same angle as character for eight, 八) |
Zenkutsu-dachi | zen-koo-tsue dah-chee | 前屈立 | Front-leg-bent Stance (lit. Front-ducking Stance) |
Ukekata (Blocking Methods)
Japanese | Phonetic | Kanji | English |
---|---|---|---|
Ukekata | oo-kay kah-tah | 受方 | Blocking Methods |
Uke | oo-kay | 受 | Block |
Chudan-soto-mawashi-uke | chew-dahn so-toe mah-wah-she oo-kay | 中段外回し受 | Middle Sideward Round Block |
Chudan-yoko-uke | chew-dahn yoh-koh oo-kay | 中段横受 | Middle Sideward Block |
Chudan-soto-uke | chew-dahn so-toe oo-kay | 中段外受 | Middle Outward Bock |
Chudan-uchi-uke | chew-dahn oo-chee oo-kay | 中段内受 | Middle Inward Block |
Gedan-barai Gedan-uke Hari-uke |
geh-dahn bah-rye geh-dahn oo-kay hah-rae oo-kay |
下段払い 下段受 払受 |
Lower Sweeping Block Lower Level Block Sweeping Block |
Gedan-yoko-barai-uke | geh-dahn yoh-koh bah-rye oo-kay | 下段横払受 | Lower Sideward Sweeping Block |
Haito-uke | hai-toh oo-kay | 背刀受 | Reverse Knife-hand Block |
Hangetsu-barai-uke | hahn-geh-tsue bah-rye oo-kay | 半月払受 | Half-moon Sweeping Block |
Hasami-uke | hah-sah-me oo-kay | 鋏受 | Scissor Block |
Hazushi-uke | hah-zoo-she oo-kay | 外受 | Removing Block |
Hiji-uke | he-jee oo-kay | 肘受 | Elbow Block |
Jodan-uke Age-uke |
joh-dahn oo-kay ah-gay oo-kay |
上段受 上げ受 |
Upper Level Block Rising Block |
Kosa-uke | koe-sah oo-kay | 交差受 | Cross Block |
Magetori-barai-uke | mah-geh-toh-ree bah-rye oo-kay | 髷取 払受 | Rising Double Knife-hand Block (lit. Grabbing the Topknot Block) |
Makite-uke | mah-key-teh oo-kay | 巻手受 | Winding Knife-hand Block |
Morote-barai-uke | moh-row-teh bah-rye oo-kay | 諸手払受 | Augmented Lower Block |
Morote-soe-uke | moh-row-teh so-eh oo-kay | 諸手添受 | Augmented Forearm Block, Wedge Block |
Otoshi-uke | oh-toe-she oo-kay | 落受 | Dropping Block |
Sagurite-uke | sah-gu-ree-teh oo-kay | 探手受 | Searching-hand Block |
Sasae-uke | sah-sa-eh oo-kay | 支受 | Supported Forearm Block |
Sayu-barai-uke | sah-yoo bah-rye oo-kay | 左右払受 | Double Sweeping Block (lit. Left-right Sweeping Block) |
Shotei-uke | show-tay oo-kay | 掌底受 | Palm Heel Block |
Shuto-uke | shoe-toe oo-kay | 手刀受 | Knife Hand Block |
Torite-uke | toh-ree-teh oo-kay | 捕手受 | Grasping-hand Block |
Wari-uke | wah-rhee oo-kay | 割受 | Split Block |
Semekata (Attacking Methods)
Japanese | Phonetic | Kanji | English |
---|---|---|---|
Semekata | seh-meh kah-tah | 攻方 | Attacking Methods |
Seiken-waza | say-ken-wah-zah | 正拳技 | Fist Techniques |
Tsuki, -zuki | tsoo-key, zoo-key | 突 | Punch (lit. Thrust) |
Age-zuki | ah-gay-zoo-key | 上げ突 | Rising Punch |
Chudan-zuki | choo-dahn zoo-key | 中段突 | Middle Level Punch |
Gedan-zuki | gey-dahn zoo-key | 下段突 | Lower Level Punch |
Gyaku-zuki | gya-koo zoo-key | 逆突 | Reverse Punch |
Hiraken-zuki | He-rah-ken zoo-key | 四本拳突 | Flat Fore Knuckle Punch |
Ippon-ken | ee-pohn-ken | 一本拳 | One Knuckle Fist |
Jodan-zuki | joe-dahn zoo-key | 上段突 | Upper Level Punch |
Kaku-zuki | kah-koo zoo-key | 角突 | Square Punch |
Kakushi-zuki | kah-koo-shee zoo-key | 隠し突 | Hidden Fist Punch |
Morote-zuki Awase-zuki |
moh-row-tay zoo-key Ah-wah-say zoo-key |
諸手突 合突 |
Augmented Punch |
Naka-daka Ippon-ken | nah-kah-dah-kah-ee-pohn-ken | 一本拳中高 | Middle One Knuckle Fist |
Oi-zuki | oy-zoo-key | 追突 | Lunge Punch, Chasing Punch |
Sayu-zuki | sah-yoo zoo-key | 左右突 | Double Side Punch |
Seiken-zuki | say-ken zoo-key | 正拳突 | Proper Fist, Straight Fist, (Front 2 Knuckle Punch) |
Tomoe-zuki | toh-mo-eh zoo-key | 巴突 | Circular Block and Punch |
Wari-uke-zuki | wah-ree oo-kay zoo-key | 割受突 | Split-block Punch |
Yubi-waza | yoo-bee wah-zah | 指技 | Finger Techniques |
Morote-nuki-zuki | moh-row-tay new-key zoo-key | 諸手貫突 | Double Spear-hand Thrust |
Nukite-zuki | new-key-tay zoo-key | 貫手突 | Spear-hand Thrust |
Shi-zuki Toride-zuki |
she zoo-key toh-ree-day zoo-key |
鶏口突 鳥手突 |
Chicken Beak Thrust Bird Hand Strike |
Uchi-waza | oo-chee wah-zah | 打ち技 | Striking Techniques |
Haito-uchi | hi-tow oo-chee | 背刀 打 | Reverse Knife-hand Strike |
Kentsui-uchi Tettsui-uchi |
ken-tsu-ee oo-chee, te-tzoo-ee oo-chee |
拳槌打 鉄槌打 |
Hammer-fist Strike Iron Hammer Strike |
Kumade-uchi | koo-mah-day | 熊手打 | Bear Hand (Tiger Claw) |
Kyobu-morote-shuto-uchi | key-oh-boo moh-row-tay shoo-tow oo-chee | 胸部諸手手刀打 | Double Knife-hand Strike (to the chest area) |
Kyobu-shuto-uchi | key-oh-boo shoo-tow oo-chee | 胸部手刀打 | Knife-hand Strike (to the chest area) |
Kyobu-soete-shuto-uchi | key-oh-boo soh-eh-tay shoo-tow oo-chee | 胸部添手手刀打 | Augmented Knife-hand Strike (to the chest area) |
Oya-yubi Ippon-ken | oiyah-yoo-bee ee-pohn ken | 親指一本拳 | Thumb Fist (Thumb Knuckle) |
Shuto-uchi | shoo-tow oo-chee | 手刀打 | Knife-hand Strike |
Uraken-uchi | oo-ra-ken oo-chee | 裏拳打 | Backfist Strike |
Ate-waza | ah-tay wah-zah | 当技 | Smashing Techniques |
Hiji-ate Empi Uchi |
hee-jee-ah-tay em-pee oo-chee |
肘当 猿臂打 |
Elbow Smash Elbow Strike |
Hiza-ate | hee-zah-ah-tay | 膝当 | Knee Smash |
Sasae-hiji-ate | sah-sa-eh hee-jee ah-tay | 支肘当 | Supported Elbow Smash |
Shotei-ate Teisho |
show-tay-ah-tay tay-show |
掌底当 底掌 |
Palm Heal Smash |
Tate-hiji-ate | tah-tay hee-jee ah-tay | 縦肘当 | Upward Elbow Smash |
Ushiro-hiji-ate | oo-shee-row hee-jee ah-tay | 後肘当 | Backward Elbow Smash |
Yoko-hiji-ate | yoh-koh hee-jee ah-tay | 横肘当 | Side Elbow Smash |
Kerikata (Kicking Methods)
Japanese | Phonetic | Kanji | English |
---|---|---|---|
Keri, -geri | keh-ree, geh-ree | 蹴 | Kick |
Ashi-barai | ah-she bah-rye | 足払 | Leg Sweep |
Fukubu-geri | foo-koo-boo geh-ree | 腹蹴 | Abdomen Kick |
Hiza-geri | hee-zah geh-ree | 膝蹴 | Knee Kick |
Keri-age, Keage | keh-ree-ah-gay, key-ah-gay | 蹴上 | Snap Kick, Rising Kick |
Keri-komi, Kekomi | keh-ree-koh-mee, key-ko-mee | 蹴込 | Thrust Kick |
Kinteki-geri | keen-teh-key geh-ree | 金的蹴 | Groin Kick (lit. Gold-like Kick!) |
Kyobu-geri | key-oh-boo geh-ree | 胸部蹴 | Chest Area Kick |
Mae-geri | my-geh-ree | 前蹴 | Front Kick |
Mae-geri-kakato | my-geh-ree kah-kah-toe | 前蹴踵 | Front Kick with the Heel |
Mawashi-geri | mah-wah-she-geh-ree | 廻蹴 | Round-house Kick with Top of Foot |
Mikazuki-geri | mee-kah-zoo-key geh-ree | 三日月蹴 | Crescent Kick (lit. Three Days Moon Kick) |
Nidan-geri Maetobi-geri |
nee-dahn geh-ree my-toh-bee geh-ree |
二段蹴 前飛蹴 |
Flying Front Kick, Two-level Kick Flying Front Kick |
Tsumasaki-geri | tsoo-mah-sah-key-geh-ree | 爪先蹴 | Toe Kick |
Ushiro-geri | oo-she-row-geh-ree | 後蹴 | Back Kick |
Ura mawashi-geri | oo-rah mah-wah-she geh-ree | 裏廻蹴 | Back Roundhouse Kick |
Yoko-geri Sokuto-geri |
yoh-koh-geh-ree soh-koo-tow geh-ree |
横蹴 足刀蹴 |
Side Kick Foot-edge Kick |
Kata (Forms)
Japanese | Phonetic | Kanji | English |
---|---|---|---|
Kata | kah-tah | 型 or 形 | Form |
Matsubayashi-ryu Kata (Shotokan-ryu Kata) | maht-soo-by-ashi roo kah-tah (show-toh-kahn roo kah-tah) |
松林流型 松涛館型 |
Pine Forest Style Form (Shotokan Style Form) |
Fujikata/Fukyukata Dai Ichi | foo-jee-kah-tah die-eech | 普及型第一 | First Basic (common) Form |
Fujikata/Fukyukata Dai Ni | foo-jee-kah-tah die-nee | 普及型第二 | Second Basic (common) Form |
Pinan Shodan (Heian Shodan*) |
pee-nahn sho-dahn | 平安初段 | First Peace Form (*Heian is mainland Japanese Shotokan pronunciation. Pinan is Okinawan) |
Pinan Nidan (Heian Nidan) |
pee-nahn nee-dahn | 平安二段 | Second Peace Form |
Pinan Sandan (Heian Sandan) |
pee-nahn san-dahn | 平安三段 | Second Peace Form |
Pinan Yondan (Heian Yondan) |
pee-nahn yon-dahn | 平安四段 | Fourth Peace Form |
Pinan Godan (Heian Godan) |
pee-nahn go-dahn | 平安五段 | Fifth Peace Form |
Niahanchi Shodan (Tekki Shodan) |
nai-han-chee sho-dahn tek-key sho-dahn |
內步進初段 鉄騎初段 |
First Inner-stepping Form (First Iron Horse Form) |
Niahanchi Nidan (Tekki Nidan) |
nai-han-chee nee-dahn tek-key nee-dahn |
內步進二段 鉄騎二段 |
Second Inner-stepping Form (Second Iron Horse Form) |
Niahanchi Sandan (Tekki Sandan) |
nai-han-chee san-dahn tek-key san-dahn |
內步進三段 鉄騎三段 |
Third Inner-stepping Form (Third Iron Horse Form) |
Ananku | ahn-ahn-koo | 安南空 | Name of a visting monk from China Light from the South Peace from the South |
Rohai (Meikyo) |
row-high | 鷺牌 明鏡 |
White Heron or Bird on a Rock (Bright Mirror) |
Wankan (Matsukaze) |
whan-kahn | 王冠 松風 |
Kings Crown Pine Tree Wind |
Wanshu, Wangshu (Empi/Enpi) |
whan-shoo | 腕秀, 汪楫 燕飛 |
Excellent Wrist, Wang’s Series (Flying Swallow) |
Passai (Bassai) |
pah-sigh | 拔塞, 拔砦 | To Storm a Fortress |
Gojushiho | go-jew-shi-hoe | 五十四步 | 54 Steps |
Chinto (Gankaku) |
chin-toe | 鎭東 岩鶴 |
Fighter to the East (Crane on a Rock) |
Kusanku, Kushanku (Kanku-dai) |
koo-san-koo | 公相君 觀空大 |
Name of a visting monk from China (Gazing Heavenward) |
Goju-ryu Kata | goh-joo roo | 剛柔流型 | Hard/Soft Style Form |
Gekisai | gek-ee-sigh | 撃砕 | Attack and Destroy |
Saifa | sigh-fah | 砕破 | Smash and Tear |
Sanchin | san-chin | 三戦 | Three Battles |
Tensho | ten-sho | 転掌 | Revolving Hands |
Seiunchin | say-oon-chin | 制引戦 | Pull into Battle |
Shisochin | she-so-chin | 四向鎮 | Fight in Four Directions |
Sanseiru | san-say-roo | 三十六手 | 36 Hands |
Seipai | say-pie | 十八手 | 18 Hands |
Kururunfa | koo-roo-roon-fa | 久留頓破 | Holding on and Striking Suddenly |
Seisan | say-san | 十三手 | 13 Hands |
Suparinpei | soo-par-en-pay | 壱百零八 | 108 Hands |
Shotokan Kata | show-toh-kahn roo kah-tah | 松涛館型 | Shotokan Style Form (other than those listed above in Matsubayashi ryu) |
Dai Nihon Tenno Kata | die-nee-hohn ten-noh kah-tah | 大日本天の形 | Great Heavenly Japanese Karate Form |
Taikyoku | tie-kyo-koo | 太極 | Great Pole |
Ji’in | jee-in | 慈陰 | Inverted Mercy |
Jion | jee-on | 慈恩 | Mercy |
Jitte | jee-tay | 十手 | Ten Hands |
Hangetsu | hahn-get-soo | 半月 | Half Moon |
Nijushiho | nee-joo-she-hoe | 二十四歩 | 24 Steps |
Chinte | chin-tay | 珍手 | Rare Hand or Unusual Hand |
Sochin | so-chin | 壯鎭 | Tranquil Force or Preserve the Peace |
Unsu | oon-soo | 雲手 | Cloud Hands |
Commands & Phrases
Japanese | Phonetic | Kanji | English |
---|---|---|---|
Arigato Gozaimasu | ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zai-mas | ありがとうございます | Thank You Very Much |
Do Itashimas’te | doh-ee-tash-ee-ma-she-tay | どういたしまして | You’re Welcome |
Hajime | hah-jee-may | 始め | Begin |
Karate ni Sente Nashi | kah-rah-tay nee sen-tay nah-she | 空手に先手なし | There is no first attack in karate. |
Kawate | kah-wah-tay | 川手 | On Guard |
Ki o tsuke | key-oat-skay | 気を付け | Attention! Stand up straight! |
Matte | mah-tay | 待って | Wait |
Mawatte | mah-wah-tay | 回って | Turn Around |
Mokuso | moh-koo-soh | 黙想 | Quiet Meditation |
Mouichido | moh-eech-ee-do | もう一度 | Once More, Again |
Onegai Shimasu | oh-neh-guy-she-mas | お願いします | Please (Teach Me) |
Otagai ni | oh-tah-gah-ee nee | お互いに | Toward Each Other |
Otagai ni Rei | oh-tah-gah-ee nee ray | お互いに礼 | Bow to Each Other |
Otagai ni Taishi | oh-tah-gah-ee nee ta(i)-sh(e) | お互いに対し | Face Each Other |
Rei | ray | 礼 | Bow with Respect |
Sensei ni Rey | sen-say nee ray | 先生に礼 | Bow to the Teacher |
Sensei ni Taishi | sen-say nee ta(i)-sh(e) | 先生に対し | Face the Teacher |
Shomen ni Rei | shoh-men ni ray | 正面に礼 | Bow to the Front |
Shomen ni Taishi | shoh-men nee ta(i)-sh(e) | 正面に対し | Face the Front |
Shugo | shoo-go | 集合 | Line Up, Gather together |
Yame | yah-may | 止め | Stop |
Yoi | yoy | 用意 | Ready, Attention |
Parts of the Body
Japanese | Phonetic | Kanji | English |
---|---|---|---|
Ago | ah-goh | 顎 | Chin, Jaw |
Ashi | ah-she | 足 | Foot and/or Leg |
Atama | ah-tah-mah | 頭 | Head |
Hana | hah-nah | 鼻 | Nose |
haisoku | hai-sow-koo | 背足 | Reverse Foot (Instep) |
Hiji, Empi | hee-jee, em-pee | 肘, 猿臂 | Elbow |
Hiza | he-zah | 膝 | Knee |
Kakato | kah-kah-toe | 踵 | Heel |
Karada/shin-, -mi | kah-rah-dah/ shin-, -mi | 体, 身 | Body, prefix/suffix for Body |
Ken | ken | 拳 | Fist |
Koshi Josokutei zenzoku |
koh-shee joh-soh-koo-tay zen-zoh-koo |
中足 上足底 前足 |
Middle Foot (Ball of Foot) Raised Sole Ball of Foot |
Koshi | koh-she | 腰 | Hips |
Kubi | koo-bee | 首 | Neck |
Me | meh | 目 | Eye |
Mune | moo-neh | 胸 | Chest |
Nodo | noh-doe | 咽, 喉 | Throat |
Shinkei | shin-keh | 神経 | Nerve |
Soku | soh-koo | 足 | Foot |
Sokutei | soh-koo-tay | 足底 | Sole of the Foot |
Sokuto | soh-koo-toe | 足刀 | Foot Blade, Foot Edge |
Suigetsu | soo-ee-geh-tsoo | 水月 | Solar Plexus (lit. Water Moon) |
Sune | su-nay | 脛 | Shin |
Te | tay | 手 | Hand |
Tekubi | tay-koo-bee | 手首 | Wrist |
Ude | oo-day | 腕 | Forearm |
Wanto | wahn-tow | 腕刀 | Sword Arm (Side of forearm) |
Yubi | yoo-bee | 指 | Finger |
Miscellaneous Terms
Japanese | Phonetic | Kanji | English |
---|---|---|---|
Ashi Sabaki | ah-shi-sa-bak-ee | 足さばき | Footwork |
Atemi | ah-teh-me | 当身 | Strike (Often to distract) |
Barai | bah-rye | 払い | Sweep |
Bunkai | boon-kai | 分解 | Analysis (lit. picking apart) |
Bushido Budo |
boo-she-doh boo-doh |
武士道 武道 |
The Way of the Warrior Martial Arts |
Dai Ichi | die-eech | 第一 | The First |
Deshi | deh-she | 弟子 | Student, Pupil |
Dojo | doe-joe | 道場 | Place to Learn the Way |
Gi | ghee | 着 | Karate Uniform |
Goshin Jutsu | go-shin ju-tsoo | 護身術 | Self Defense Techniques |
Hai | hi | はい | Yes |
Hidari | hee-dah-ree | 左 | Left |
Iie | ee-yay | いいえ | No |
Jiyu Kumite | jee-yu koo-meh-tay | 自由組手 | Freestyle Sparring |
Kamiza | kah-me-zah | 上座 | Seat of Honor, Shrine |
Karateka | kah-rah-tay-kah | 空手家 | Karate Student |
Kiai | key-eye | 気合 | Spirit Yell |
Kihon | key-hon | 基本 | Basics |
Kokyu Ho | koh-kyu how | 呼吸法 | Breathing Methods |
Koudansha | cow-dan-shah | 高段者 | A High Level Black Belt |
Kumite | koo-meh-tay | 組手 | Sparring |
Makiwara | mah-key-wah-rah | 巻藁 | Striking Board |
Migi | mee-gee | 右 | Right |
Mudansha | moo-dan-shah | 無段者 | One Who is not a Black Belt |
Obi | oh-bee | 帯 | Karate Belt |
Shiai | she-eye | 試合 | Sparring Match |
Tai Sabaki | tie-sa-bak-ee | 体捌き | Defensive Body Movement |
Tameshi Wari | tah-meh-she wah-rhee | 試割り | Breaking (Boards, Bricks, etc.) |
Te Sabaki | tay-sa-bak-ee | 手さばき | Handwork |
Uke | ooh-kay | 受け | Person who “receives” a technique |
Waza | wah-zah | 技 | Technique |
Yakusoku Kumite | yah-k(oo)-soh-koo koo-meh-tay | 約束組手 | Pre-arranged Sparring |
Yuudansha | you-dan-shah | 有段者 | One Who is a Black Belt |
Tournament Terms
Japanese | Phonetic | Kanji | English |
---|---|---|---|
Shiai | shee-eye | 試合 | Tournament |
Aiuchi | eye-oo-chee | 相打ち | Simultaneous strike |
Aka | ah-kah | 赤 | Red |
Hansoku Chui | han-so-koo choo-ee | 反則注意 | Foul Warning (Point awarded to opponent) |
Ippon | ee-pon | 一本 | One Point |
Jogai | joe-guy | 除外 | Out of the Ring (Exclusion) |
Moto no Ichi | moh-toh no eech | 元の位 | Starting Position |
Mubobi | moo-bow-bee | 無防備 | Failing to Defend Yourself |
(aka/shiro) no Kachi | no kach | の勝ち | (Red/White) Wins! |
Sanbon Kumite | sahn-bon koo-meh-tay | 三本組手 | Three-point Sparring Match |
Shikkaku | she-kah-koo | 失格 | Disqualification |
Shiro | she-row | 白 | White |
Torimasen | toh-ree-mah-sen | 取りません | No Point |
Waza-ari | wah-zah-ah-ree | 技あり | Half Point |
Ranks & Titles
Japanese | Phonetic | Kanji | English |
---|---|---|---|
Kyu | kyew | 級 | Ranks below Black Belt |
Mukyu | moo-kyew | 無級 | No Level (Red Belt) |
Jukyu | joo-kyew | 十級 | Tenth Level (White Belt) |
Kukyu | koo-kyew | 九級 | Ninth Level (Orange Belt) |
Hachikyu | hach-kyew | 八級 | Eigth Level (Gold Belt) |
Nanakyu | nah-nah-kyew | 七級 | Seventh Level (Purple Belt) |
Rokyu | roh-kyew | 六級 | Sixth Level (Green/White Stripe Belt) |
Gokyu | go-kyew | 五級 | Fifth Level (Green Belt) |
Yonkyu | yohn-kyew | 四級 | Fourth Level (Blue Belt) |
Sankyu | san-kyew | 三級 | Third Level (Brown Belt) |
Nikyu | nee-kyew | 二級 | Second Level (Brown/1 Black Tip Belt) |
Ikkyu | eek-kyew | 一級 | First Level (Brown/2 Black Tip Belt) |
Dan | dahn | 段 | Ranks of Black Belt |
Shodan-So | show-dahn so | 初段補 | Probationary Jr. Black Belt |
Shodan-Ho | show-dahn hoe | 初段補 | Probationary First Degree Black Belt |
Shodan | show-dahn | 初段 | First Degree Black Belt |
Nidan | nee-dahn | 二段 | Second Degree Black Belt |
Sandan | san-dahn | 三段 | Third Degree Black Belt |
Yondan | yohn-dahn | 四段 | Fourth Degree Black Belt |
Godan | go-dahn | 五段 | Fifth Degree Black Belt |
Rokudan | rohk-oo-dahn | 六段 | Sixth Degree Black Belt |
Nanadan | nah-nah-dahn | 七段 | Seventh Degree Black Belt |
Hachidan | ha-chee-dahn | 八段 | Eighth Degree Black Belt |
Kudan | koo-dahn | 九段 | Ninth Degree Black Belt |
Judan | joo-dahn | 十段 | Tenth Degree Black Belt |
Joshu-Shoban | joh-shoo show-bahn | 助手初版 | Junior First Degree Black Belt |
Shidokan Kyoiku Shogo | she-doh-kahn key-oh-ee-kuh show-go | 士道館教育称号 | Shidokan Teaching Titles |
Shidoin | she-doyn | 指導員 | Assistant Instructor |
Sempai, Senpai | sehm-pie | 先輩 | Senior Student |
Sensei | sehn-say | 先生 | Teacher |
Renshi | rehn-she | 錬士 | Senior Teacher |
Shihan | she-han | 師範 | Teacher of Teachers |
Kyoshi | kyoh-she | 教士 | Expert Teacher |
Hanshi | hahn-she | 範士 | Master Teacher |
Sonohoka Shogo | sohn-o-hoe-ka show-go | 称号 | Other Titles |
Shidoshi | she-doh-she | 指導師 | Dojo Manager |
Martial Arts Styles
Japanese | Phonetic | Kanji | English |
---|---|---|---|
Ryu | roo | 流 | Style or School |
Aikido | eye-key-doh | 合気道 | The way of harmony, a Japanese martial art |
Goju-ryu | goh-joo roo | 剛柔流 | Hard/Soft Style from Naha-te Okinawan karate |
Iaido | eye-ay-doh | 居合道 | The Japanese art of drawing the sword |
Isshin-ryu | ish-in roo | 一心流 | “The One Heart Way” style from the strengths of Shorin-ryu & Goju-ryu Okinawan karate |
Judo | joo-doh | 柔道 | The gentle way, a Japanese martial art |
Ju-jutsu, Ju-jitsu |
joo-jut-soo | 柔術 | The gentle art, self defence |
Karate-do | kah-rah-tay-doh | 空手道 | The Way of the Empty Hand |
Kempo, Kenpo | kem-poh, ken-poh | 拳法 | Fist principles, an Okinawan karate style |
Kendo | ken-doh | 剣道 | The way of the sword, a Japanese martial art |
Kobudo | koh-boo-doh | 古武道 | Old martial way. A weapons martial art |
Kung-fu | kung-foo | 功夫 | Chinese martial arts |
Matsubayashi-ryu | maht-soo-by-ashi roo | 松林流 | Pine Forest Style of Okinawan Shorin-ryu karate |
Naha-te | nah-hah-tay | 那覇手 | One of the two main original Okinawan karate styles |
Shiatsu | she-ah-tsoo | 指圧 | Meridian Massage |
Shito-ryu | she-toh roo | 糸東流 | Combination of Naha-te & Shuri-te Okinawan karate |
Shorin-ryu | show-rin roo | 小林流 | Little Forest Style from Shuri-te Okinawan Karate |
Shotokan | show-toh-kahn | 松涛館 | Sports Style of Japanese Karate (Pine Waves House) |
Shuri-ryu | shur-ee ryu | 首里流 | Okinawan/american style of karate |
Shuri-te | shur-ee tay | 首里手 | One of the two main original Okinawan karate styles |
Taekwon-do | tay-kwon-doh | テコンドー | Korean Martial Art with an emphasis on kicks |
Uechi-ryu | ee-chee roo | 上地流 | Way of Uechi, a Kung fu flavored Okinawan karate style |
Wado-ryu | wah-doh roo | 和道流 | A Japanase style of Karate |
Sources: Compiled by Sensei Michael Scaramozzino. Special thanks to Sempai Vinny Miccio for feedback and corrections. The Essence of Okinawan Karate-do by Shoshin Nagamine, Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia), Karate Terminology 101, Japanese Words We Use – Karate terminology – language – glossary, Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) Basic Terminology, Sports Definitions, Karate Referee Terms, The Japanese Pronunciation Guide – The Anime Cafe, Learn on Kanji a day with infographic, Jim Breen’s WWWJDIC Japanese-English Dictionary, Google Translate, Babelfish, Jisho.org, Additional web sources that no longer exist have been removed.
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