KARATE TERMINOLOGY
GENERAL TERMS
Words you will hear during training
Arigato [gozaimashta] - Thank you
Bunkai ("boon-kai') - Real world application of kata
Dojo - Place of training for martial arts
Dojo Kun - List of behavioral rules expected and disallowed
Genbaku Kai - Our style of karate
Gi - Karate uniform
Hajime - Begin
Hikite - Pulling Hand (Increasing effectiveness and power)
Karateka - One who studies karate
Kata - Series of techniques fighting an imaginary opponent
Kihon - Basics
Kiyotsuke - Stand at attention
Kumite - Sparring
Mawate - Turn
Mokuso ("mohk-sou") - Meditation
Ni - to or toward, also the number two
Obi - Belt
Onegaishimasu - Do me this favor (polite)
Otagai - Ourselves/each other
Rei - Bow
Seiza - Formal sitting position in a dojo
Senpai - Senior student (assistant instructor)
Sensei - Instructor/Teacher
Shihan - Instructor of Instructors
Shito Ryu - The style of karate taught at this dojo
Shomen - Front of the dojo
Yame - Stop
Yoi - Ready
DACHI
Stances
Ayumi Dachi - Walking stance
Hachiji Dachi - Open leg stance
Han Zenkutsu Dachi - Half forward stance
Han Kokutsu Dachi - Half back stance
Heisoku Dachi - Feet together
Kokutsu Dachi - Back stance
Kosa Dachi - Crossed leg stance
Musubi Dachi - Heels together, toes 45 degrees apart
Naihanchi Dachi - Horseback/Straddle stance
Neko Ashi Dachi Dai - Long Cat Foot
Neko Ashi Dachi Sho - Short Cat Foot
Ohkutsu Dachi - Forward stance, facing sideways
Sanchin Dachi - Knees and toes in, hips tilted up
Shiko Dachi - Side stance, toes out
Sochin Dachi - Diagonal stance
Zenkutsu dachi - Forward stance
ZUKI/UCHI
Punches/Strikes
Chudan Zuki - Middle Punch
Empi Uchi - Elbow Strike
Gedan Zuki - Groin Punch
Gyaku Shuto Uchi - Reverse Chop
Gyaku Zuki - Opposite side Punch
Hai Sho - Strike with back of open hand
Heiko Zuki - Double Punch, Palms Down
Hiji Ate - Elbow Strike
Hira Ken - Four Knuckle Strike
Ippon Ken - One Knuckle Strike
Ippon Nukite - One Finger Spear Hand
Jodan Zuki - Face Punch
Jyun Zuki - Same side Punch
Kage Zuki - Hook Punch
Ken Tsui - Hammer Strike
Ko Ken - Wrist Strike
Mawashi Shuto Uchi - Spinning Reverse Chop
Morote Zuki - U-Punch, hands high and low
Ni Hon Nukite - Two Finger Spear Hand
Nukite - Open Hand Poke
Oi Zuki - Lunge Punch (same leg, hand)
San Bon Zuki - Three Punches (1 face, 2 stomach)
Seiken Choku Zuki - Straight Punch
Shiko - Side Punch
Shuto Uchi - Knife hand strike
Teisho - Palm Strike
Tettsui - Hammerfist
Ura ken - Backfist
Yon Hon Nukite - Four Finger Spear Hand
UKE
Blocks
Age Uke - Up Block
Chudan Soto Uke - Outward Middle Block
Chudan Uchi Uke-Inward Middle Block
Gedan Barai - Down Block
Harai Uke - Down Block
Hiji Uke - Elbow Block
Jo dan Uke-High Block
Juji Uke - Open Hand Block
Kakete - Circular Grabbing Motion
Ko Uke - Arch Block
Kotegaishi - Hook w/Wrist, Palm Up
Kuri Uke - Fan Block
Kurotora Uke - Inside & Down Block Combination
Mawashi Uke - Round Block
Morote Uke - Double Hand Block
Nagashi Uke - Palm (Parry) Block
Sasae Uke - Support Wrist or Elbow of Inside Block
Shuto Uke - Knife (Open) Hand Block
Ude Uke - Forearm block
Yoko Uchi Uke - Outside Block
Yoko Uke - Inside Block
GERI
Kicks
Funi Komi - Stomping Kick
Hiza Geri - Knee Kick
Keagi - Snap Kick
Kekomi - Thrust Kick
Mae Geri - Front Kick
Mae Geri Kekomi - Front Thrust Kick
Mae Tobi Geri(Nidan Geri) - Flying Front Snap Kick(Double Front Snap Kick)
Mawashi Geri - Round Kick
Mikazuki Geri/Uki - Crescent Kick/Block
Nami Ashi - Inside Snap Kick
Sokuto Geri - Side Thrust Kick to Front
Ushiro Geri - Back Kick
Yoko Geri - Side Kick
Yoko Geri Keagi - Side Snap Kick
Yoko Geri Kekomi - Side Thrust Kick
Yoko Tobi Geri - Flying Side Thrust Kick
COUNTING
Instructors use Japanese numbers to count steps
1 - Ichi
2 - Ni
3 - San
4 - Shi or Yon
5 - Go
6 - Roku
7 - Shichi
8 - Hachi
9 - Ku or Kyu
10 - Ju