intro
The Language of Karate-Do
Karate, originating from the Ryukyu Kingdom (now Okinawa, Japan), has a deep-rooted connection to Japanese culture. This connection is reflected in the language used to teach and practice the martial art. By learning karate in Japanese, students not only acquire the physical skills but also gain a deeper appreciation for the art's rich cultural heritage.
terms_dojo
Important Terms
| Enbusen | Performance Line of kata |
| Kyu | Rank or student grade |
| Dan | Step, rank and instructor grade. |
| Rei | Bow |
| Sensei Ni Rei | Salutation to the instructor |
| Shoman Ni Rei | Salutation to each other |
| Budo | "The Martial Arts" |
| Karate-do | The art of karate |
| Karateka | Person who practices karate-do |
| Dojo | Place of the way, Training Room |
| Kiai, Ki-ai, The Kiai | Spirit together, combined |
| Oss | The word of words. |
| Zanshin | Remaining spirit |
In the Dojo
| Sensei | Teacher, Instructor |
| Renshi | Long Standing, polished instructor |
| Shihan | Master, instructor of higher rank. |
| Sempai | One's Senior |
| Gi or Dogi | outfit, Karate suit |
| Mokuso | Meditation |
punches_blocks
Punches - Tzuki Waza
| Age-zuki | Rising punch |
| Choku-zuki | Straight punch |
| Gyaku-zuki | Reverse punch |
| Jun-zuki | Follow punch |
| Kagi-zuki | Hook Punch |
| Kizami-zuki | Jab punch, lunge jab |
| Morote-zuki | Double fisted punch |
| Mawashi-zuki | Roundhouse punch |
| Oi-zuki | Pursuing punch, lunge punch |
| Tate-zuki | Vertical punch, Thumb upwards |
| Ura-zuki | Uppercut |
| Yumi-zuki | Bow punch |
| Yama-zuki | Mountain punch |
Blocks - Uke waza
| Age-uke | Rising block |
| Haiwan-uke | Block with back of forearm |
| Gedan-barai | Low block |
| Haito-uke | Sword ridge block thumb side |
| Haishu-uke | Back hand block |
| Morote-uke | Double arm block reinforced |
| Hiji-barai | Elbow sweeping block |
| Jiju-uke | Cross block |
| Kakiwake-uke | Push aside block |
| Kakuto | Crane head block |
| Otoshi | Dropping block |
| Shuto-uke | Sword hand block |
| Soto-ude-uke | Outside inside block |
| Uchi-ude-uke | Inside outside block |
| Yama-uke | Mountain Block |
kicking_tournament
Kicking Techniques - Keri/Geri waza
| Ashi-barai | Foot sweep |
| Fumikomi | Stamping kick |
| Hiza-geri | Knee kick |
| Mae-geri | Front kick |
| Mawashi-geri | Roundhouse kick |
| Ren-geri | Alternate kicking |
| Mae-tobi-geri | Jumping front kick |
| Ushiro-geri | Back kick |
| Ura-mawashi-geri | Reverse side roundhouse kick |
| Ushiro-mawashi-geri | Backwards roundhouse kick (full body twist) |
| Yoko-geri-kekomi | Side thrust kick |
| Yoko-geri-keage | Side snap kick |
Tournament Terms
| Aka | Red |
| Shiro | White |
| Shobu-ippon | Victory to one point |
| Yoi | Attention, prepare! |
| Hajime | Start/begin |
| Yame | Stop |
| Tsuzukete | Continue, fight on |
| Shugo | Meeting, Judge call |
| Waza-ari | Half point |
| Ippon | Full point |
| Chui | Warning |
| Ai-uchi | Simultaneous techniques |
| Hanzoku-chui | Warning for violation of rules |
| Skik-ka-ku | Disqualification |
| Jogai | Out of fighting area |
| Jogai chui | Warning for out of area |
| Toremasen | Unacceptable to score |
| Hantei | Decision, judgment |
| No kachi | Victory/Winner |
| Hikiwake | Draw |
| Enchosen | Extension of fight |
techniques_smashing
Techniques - Waza
| Ken | Fist |
| Ippon-ken | 1st knuckle strike |
| Nakadaka ippon ken | 2nd knuckle strike |
| Uraken | Back fist |
| Tettsui | Iron hammer |
| Shuto | Sword hand |
| Haito | Sword ridge hand, thumb side |
| Kakuto | Crane head |
| Nukite | Spear hand |
| Nihon nukite | Two finger spear hand |
| Teisho uchi | Palm heel strike |
| Koko | Tiger mouth |
Smashing Techniques - Ate waza
| Mawashi empi | Roundhouse elbow |
| Yoko empi | Sideways elbow |
| Ushiro empi | Backwards elbow |
| Otoshi empi | Downward elbow |
| Tate empi - Age empi | Vertical elbow (Rising elbow) |
counting_stances
Counting
| Ichi | One |
| Ni | Two |
| San | Three |
| Shi | Four |
| Go | Five |
| Roku | Six |
| Shichi | Seven |
| Hachi | Eight |
| Kyu | Nine |
| Ju | Ten |
| Ni-ju | Twenty |
| San-ju | Thirty |
| Hyaku | One-Hundred |
Stances
| Fudo dachi | Immovable stance |
| Kokutsu dachi | Back stance |
| Zenkutsu dachi | Front stance |
| Kiba dachi | Horse riding stance |
| Musubi dachi | United stance |
| Sanchin dachi | Hourglass stance |
| Sochin dachi | Calm stance |
| Neko-ashi dachi | Cat foot stance |
misc_terms
Miscellaneous Terms
| Kihon | Basic Training |
| Kata | Set form |
| Bunkai | Application of Kata |
| Gohon Kumite | 5 Step sparring |
| Sanbon Kumite | 3 Step sparring |
| Kihon Ippon Kumite | 1 Step sparring, basic |
| Jiju ippon kumite | Freestyle sparring 1 step |
| Yoi | Attention / Ready |
| Yame | Stop |
| Hajiame | Start |
| Mawatte | Turn |