This article covers useful terminology and associated kanji commonly used in karate, the dojo during training and in general.
Karate Terminology Basics
Counting
- Ichi, 一 – One
- Ni, 二 – Two
- San, 三 – Three
- Shi, yon, 四 – Four
- Go, 五 – Five
- Roku, 六 – Six
- Nana, shichi, 七 – Seven
- Hachi, 八 – Eight
- Kyuu, 九 – Nine
- Juu, 十 – Ten
Tradition of Karate
- Karate, 空手 – Empty-handed
- Karate-dou, 空手道 – The way of karate
- Shorinji-ryu, 少林寺流 – An Okinawan school of karate practiced at The Vancouver Dojo
- Butoku-kai, 武徳会 – Martial arts organization dating back to 8th century AD
Karate Terminology in the Dojo
- Seiza, 正座 – Kneeling position
- Ki wo tsuke, 気をつけ- (Stand to) attention
- Rei, 礼 – Thanks, gratitude, bow
- Mokusou, 黙想 – Meditation, silent contemplation
- Hai, はい – Yes, understood, I see
- Yoi, 良い – Ready, prepared
- Sensei, 先生 – Teacher, instructor, master
- Sensei ni taishite rei, 先生に対して例 – Face the teacher and bow
- Shoumen, 正面 – Front, main
- Shoumen ni taishite rei, 正面に対して例 – Face the front and bow
- Yame, 止め – Stop (an activity), discontinue
- Waza, 技 – Technique
Karate Kata
Karate kata names often including the names of the karate master who created the kata.
- Kata 型 – Form
Stages
Some kata names such as the pinan series of katas, are followed by levels or stages:
- Shodan, 初段 – First stage, lowest stage
- Nidan 二段 – Second stage
- Sandan 三段 – Third stage
- Yodan 四段 – Fourth stage
- Godan 五段 – Fifth stage
See a reference to the list of kata names taught at The Vancouver Dojo.
Karate Belt Ranking
- Kyu, 級 – Grade, rank, level; ranking system used in martial arts
- Dan, 段 – Degree of advanced proficiency used in martial arts
See more details on an explanation of karate belt ranks.
Equipment & Apparel
- Dougi, 道着 – Uniform worn in martial arts, karate gi
- Obi, 帯 – band, belt; also used for kimono sash
Foundational Karate Stances
- Tachi, 立ち – To stand; changes to “dachi” when preceded by another word
- Neko ashi dachi, 猫足立ち – Cat stance
- Kiba dachi, 騎馬立ち – Horse stance
- Ko kutsu dachi – Back stance
- Zen kutsu dachi – Front stance
Foundational Karate Strikes
- Age zuki、上げ突き- Rising punch
- Gyaku zuki, 逆突き – Reverse punch
- Oi zuki, 追い突き- Lunge punch
- Nukite zuki 貫手 – Lunch punch with a spear hand
- Shuto uchi、手刀打ち – Knife-hand strike
Foundational Karate Blocks
- Gedan barai, 下段払い – Low block
- Shutou uke、手刀受け – Knife-hand block
- Uchi uke, 内受け – Inside forearm block
- Soto uke, 外受け – Outside block
- Age uke, 上げ受け – Rising block
Foundational Karate Kicks
- Mae geri keage, 前蹴り蹴上げ – Front snap kick
- Mae geri kekomi, 蹴込み – Front thrust kick
- Yoko geri keage, 横蹴り蹴上げ – Side snap kick
- Yoko geri kekomi, 横蹴り蹴込み – Side thrust kick
Breakfalls
- Ukemi, 受け身 – Breakfall
- Ukemi waza, 受け身 – Breakfall technique, falling technique
- Ushiro ukemi, 後ろ受身 – Backward breakfall
- Yoko ukemi, 横受け身 – Sideways breakfall
- Migi, 右 – Right
- Hidari, 左 – Left
- Mae ukemi, 前受け身 – Forward breakfall
- Mae mawari ukemi, 前回り受身 – Forward-rolling breakfall
- Ushiro mawari ukemi, 後ろ回り受身 – Backward-rolling breakfall
Useful reference: A Guide To Japanese Pronunciation: Sounds, Words, and Sentences
