Glossary
To better help you understand the Japanese terminology used within Karate Do, Sensei Jon has built an extensive glossary that not only shows how the words are pronounced but also how the words should be spoken via an audio collection. This glossary is forever expanding as new Japanese terminology, wether a name of a technique or a simple greeting will be added. As you progress through your grades as a student of Karate you should become more accustomed to the terminology used in this section. The glossary should be used in conjunction with the written syllabus. If there is wording in syllabus which is unfamiliar you can return to this section find the word and it’s meaning. The glossary is split into various sections so you can quickly and efficiently find the word your are looking for. Happy learning Sensei Jon.
Stances
Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Dachi | da-chee | Stance |
Zenkutsu dachi | zen-ku-tsu da-chee | Front stance |
Kokutsu dachi | ko-ku-tsu da-chee | Back stance |
Kiba dachi | kee-ba da-chee | Horse Stance |
Fudo dachi | foo-do da-chee | Immovable stance |
Areas of the body
Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Jodan | jo-dan | Upper level |
Chudan | choo-dan | Middle level |
Gedan | gae-dan | Lower level |
Punches and hand techniques
Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Zuki | zu-kee | Punch |
Choku zuki | cho-ku-zu-kee | Straight punch |
Oi zuki | oee zu-kee | Stepping punch |
Gyaku zuki | gya-ku zu-kee | Reverse punch |
Ura zuki | oo-ra zu-kee | Close punch |
Kizami zuki | kee-zamy zu-kee | Front hand punch |
Morote zuki | mo-ro-tay zu-kee | Double hand punch |
Tate zuki | ta-tay zu-kee | Vertical fist |
Kicks and leg techniques
Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Geri | ge-ree | Kick |
Mae geri | my ge-ree | Front kick |
Yoko geri kekomi | yo-ko ge-ree ke-ko-mee | Side thrust kick |
Yoko geri keage | yo-ko ge-ree kay-a-gee | Side snap kick |
Mawashi geri | ma-wa-she ge-ree | Round house kick |
Ushiro geri | u-she-ro ge-ree | Back kick |
Tobi geri | toh-bee ge-ree | Jumping kick |
Ren geri | ren ge-ree | Combination kicking |
Ashi Barai | ah-she bah-rye | Foot sweep |
Blocking
Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Uke | ooh-keh | Block |
Age uke | ah-gae oo-kay | Rising block |
Soto uke | soh-toe oo-kay | Outside block |
Uchi ude uke | oo-chee oo-day oo-kay | Inside block |
Gedan barai | gae-dan bah-rye | Downward block |
Shuto uke | shoo-toh oo-kay | Knife hand block |
Striking points
Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Shuto | shoo-toh | Knife hand |
Empi | em-pee | Elbow |
Tetsui | tet-tsue-ee | Hammer fist |
Nukite | noo-key-teh | finger strike |
Kakato | kah-kah-toe | Heel |
Sokuto | soh-koo-toe | Knife edge of foot |
Koshi | ko-she | Ball of foot |
Hittsui | hit-tsue-ee | Knee strike |
Karate form
Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Kihon | kee-hohn | Basic movements |
Kata | ka-tah | Basic form |
Kumite | koo-me-teh | Sparring |
Sparring forms
Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Gohon kumite | goh-hohn koo-mee-teh | Five Attack Sparring |
Sambon kumite | sahn-bohn koo-mee-teh | Three Attack Sparring |
Ippon kumite | eep-pone koo-mee-teh | One Attack Sparring |
Jiyu Ippon Kumite | jee-yoo eep-pone koo-mee-teh | Semi Free Sparring |
Jiyu Kumite | Jee-yoo koo-me-teh | Free Style Sparring |
Misc.
Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
dojo | doe-joe | Training hall |
sensei | sehn-seh-ee | Instructor |
rei | reh-ee | Bow |
Osu | oh-soo | Dojo Greeting |
Kamae | kah-mah-eh | Fighting posture |
Waza | wha-zah | Technique |
Hajime | hah-jee-may | Begin |
Yoi | yoh-ee | Ready position |
Yame | yah-mah-eh | At Ease |