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Karate Terminology

The following list of Japanese terms are those most commonly used in formal karate instruction. Each student should familiarize themselves with these to use in class and belt gradings.

Read them, pronounce them, understand them, and most important, USE THEM.

Vowels

The Japanese language is not difficult to speak. The following is offered as a guide to pronunciation.

English

Spoken in Japanese

A
Ah
E
A (as in Say)
I
E (as in See)
O
The same
U
OO (as in shoe)

Counting

Ichi
One
Two
Ni
Three
San
Shi or Yon
Four
Go
Five
Roku
Six
Shichi or Hichi
Seven
Hachi
Eight
Ku
Nine
Ju
Ten

Karate Terminology

Ashibarai
Foot sweep (scoop)
Bo
Wooden staff
Chudan
Chest area
Dachi
Stance
Dan
Black belt degree
Gedan
Groin area
Gedan Barai
Lower block
Geri
Kick
Kata
Form (formal exercise)
Kendo
Bamboo sword practice
Ki
The point of inner strength
Kiai
Controlled shout
projection of Ki "E -iii"
Kumite
Sparring practice
Kyu
Grade below black belt
Maegeri
Front kick
Maekenzuki
Punch (front hand)
Makiwara
Punching or striking board
Matte
Wait, stop, completely
Mawashigeri
Roundhouse kick
Nekoashi-Dachi
Cat stance
Nukitespear
Hand thrust
Nanchakus
Flexible jointed weapons
Oizuki
Step over punch (lunge punch)
Osu / Oss
Martial art term - I understand. Used to show strong martial art spirit, confirmatory word, etc.
Obi
Belt
Rei
Salutory bow
Ryu
School
Sensei
Instructor or Teacher
Shiai
Tournament
Shihan
Master teacher or professor
Shuto
Knife hand, open hand
Simban
Referee
Sokutogeri
Side kick
Tsuki
Punch
Uchi
Strike, hit
Uke
Block
Uraken
Backfist
Ushirogeri
Spinning back kick
Yamein
Halt, stop, rest
Yoi
Ready

Tournament

Aka
Red
Ao
Blue
Hajime
Begin
Dachi
Stop
Jogai
Out of bounds
Waza
Ari half point
Ippon
Point
Hikiwake
Draw
Encho
Sudden death
Chui
Warning
Ao No Kachi
Winner blue
Aka No Kachi
Winner red

Black Belt Degrees

Shodan
1st Dan
Nidan
2nd Dan
Sandan
3rd Dan
Yondan
4th Dan
Jogai
5th Dan
Rokudan
6th Dan
Shichidan
7th Dan
Hachidan
8th Dan
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