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 Numbers
Rei ray Zero
Ichi eech One
Ni nee Two
San san Three
Shi (Yon) she Four
Go go Five
Roku roke Six
Shichi (Nana) seech Seven
Hachi hach Eight
Ku (Kyu) koo Nine
Ju joo 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 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 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 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 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 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 Chin, Jaw
Ashi ah-she Foot and/or Leg
Atama ah-tah-mah Head
Hana hah-nah Nose
haisoku hai-sow-koo 背足 Reverse Foot (Instep)
Hiji, Empi hee-jee, em-pee 肘, 猿臂 Elbow
Hiza he-zah Knee
Kakato kah-kah-toe Heel
Karada/shin-, -mi kah-rah-dah/ shin-, -mi 体, 身 Body, prefix/suffix for Body
Ken ken 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 Hips
Kubi koo-bee Neck
Me meh Eye
Mune moo-neh Chest
Nodo noh-doe 咽, 喉 Throat
Shinkei shin-keh 神経 Nerve
Soku soh-koo 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 Shin
Te tay Hand
Tekubi tay-koo-bee 手首 Wrist
Ude oo-day Forearm
Wanto wahn-tow 腕刀 Sword Arm (Side of forearm)
Yubi yoo-bee 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 Karate Uniform
Goshin Jutsu go-shin ju-tsoo 護身術 Self Defense Techniques
Hai hi はい Yes
Hidari hee-dah-ree 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 Right
Mudansha moo-dan-shah 無段者 One Who is not a Black Belt
Obi oh-bee 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 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 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 の位 Starting Position
Mubobi moo-bow-bee 無防備 Failing to Defend Yourself
(aka/shiro) no Kachi no kach 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 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 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 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 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 – glossaryJu-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.

If you use any information from this page we would greatly appreciate a link back to this page. Thank you!