Japanese terms

Japanese words are commonly used in karate for example commands like Hajime (begin), Yame (stop), and Rei (bow), as well as technique-related terms such as Dachi (stance), Geri (kick), Tsuki (punch), and Uke (block). Other important terms are Sensei (teacher), Dojo (training hall), and Kata (form or pattern). Our glossary below explains many of the frequently used terms.

  • Numbers

    When counting in the dojo we use just the first syllable of each Japanese number for shorter, sharper counting.

    1 - ichi
    2 - ni
    3 - san
    4 - shi
    5 - go
    6 - roku
    7 - shichi
    8 - hachi
    9 - ku (kyuu)
    10 - juu

  • Attacks

    Arm attacks:
    * tsuki – punch
    * oi-zuki – step and punch
    * gyaku-zuki – reverse punch
    * kizami-zuki – jab punch
    * nukite – spear-hand (thrust)
    * ura-ken – back hand (strike)
    * empi – elbow (strike)

    Leg attacks :
    * keri – kick
    * mae-geri – front (snap) kick
    * mawashi-geri – round house kick
    * (yoko-geri) kekomi – side thrust kick
    * (yoko-geri) keage – side snap kick
    * ushiro-geri – back (thrust) kick

  • Attacking levels and blocks

    Attacking levels
    * jou-dan – “upper level” / face
    * chuudan – “middle level” / stomach / solar plexus
    * gedan – “lower level” / groin

    Blocks:
    * age-uke – rising block
    * soto-uke – outside block
    * uchi-uke – inside block
    * gedan barai – down block / “lower level sweep”
    * shuto-uke – knife-hand block
    * nagashi-uke – “flushing block” / deflecting block
    * juuji-uke – two-handed “cross” block

  • Kata (forms)

    * heian shodan – “stable and secure” / “stable peace,” “first level”
    * heian nidan – ditto, “second level”
    * heian sandan – ditto, “third level”
    * heian yondan – you can probably guess…
    * heian godan
    * tekki shodan – “iron horseman,” “first level”
    * tekki nidan
    * tekki sandan
    * junro - ordinary path
    * bassai dai – “storming a fortress” greater version *
    * enpi – “flight of the swallow”
    * jion – “compassion and favour”
    * kanku dai – “observing the sky/emptiness” greater version*
    * jitte – “ten hands”
    * hangetsu – “half moon”
    * nijushiho – “twenty-four steps”
    * gankaku – “boulder crane” (the bird on a rock)
    * sochin [sou-chin] – “strength and control”
    * bassai sho [shou] – “storming a fortress” lesser version *
    * kanku sho [shou] – “observing the sky/emptiness” “lesser” version *
    * unsu [unsuu] – “cloud hands”
    * gojushiho (dai) – “fifty-four steps,” greater version *
    * gojushiho sho [shou] – “fifty-four steps” lesser version *
    * meikyo [meikyou] – “bright mirror”
    * ji’in – “compassion and shadow”
    * chinte – “rare hands”
    * wankan – “king’s crown”

    * Kata with “sho” or “dai” attached (“lesser” or “greater”) is just a way of distinguishing between different kata.

  • Kumite (Sparring)

    Kumite
    * kumite – sparring
    * (kihon) gohon kumite – (basic) five-step sparring
    * (kihon) sanbon kumite – (basic) three-step sparring
    * (kihon) ippon kumite – (basic) one-step sparring
    * jiyuu ippon kumite – semi-free one-step sparring
    * (jiyuu) kumite – free sparring

  • Other terms

    * bunkai - application of a kata
    * dojo – “way place,” the place where you train
    * dojo kun – dojo etiquette
    * hajime – begin
    * hikite - pulling hand
    * ki-ai – “spirit focus” / a focusing yell
    * kihon – basic(s)
    * kime – “decision” / focus
    * mawatte – turn
    * mokusou – “quiet meditation”
    * rei – bow
    * seiza – “proper sitting” / kneeling
    * sempai – senior student
    * sensei - instructor
    * yame – stop
    * youi – “get ready”