Provided below is a brief list of Japanese terms commonly used in American karate schools, organized by category according its use in karate, and a rough english translation. Keep in mind that these translations are hardly comprehensive, and often the meaning of a word used in the context of karate is not the complete meaning or usage of the word. Some Japanese terms common in American karate clubs are used improperly compared with actual Japanese karate dojos. This list outlines the most common meanings as they are used by English speaking karateka.
Other Techniques
- atemi waza
- Striking techniques.
- enpi uchi
- Elbow strike.
- kansetsu waza
- Joint locks.
- nukite
- Spearhand strike.
- uchi
- Strike.
- uraken uchi
- Backfist strike.
- waza
- Technique.
Punching Techniques
- gyaku zuki
- Reverse punch.
- kizami zuki
- Jab.
- oi zuki
- Step in punch.
- sanbon zuki
- Triple punch.
- tsuki
- Punch.
Stances
- dachi
- Stance.
- kiba-dachi
- Horse riding stance.
- kokutsu-dachi
- Back stance.
- neko-ashi-dachi
- Cat foot stance.
- zenkutsu-dachi
- Front stance.
Throws / Sweeps
- barai
- Sweep.
- katame waza
- Grappling techniques.
- nage waza
- Throws.
Blocking Techniques
- age uke
- Rising / upper block.
- gedan barai
- Downward / lower block.
- shuto uke
- Knife hand block.
- soto uke
- Outside block.
- uchi uke
- Inside block.
- uke
- Block / receiver.
Counting Terms
- go
- Five.
- hachi
- Eight.
- hyaku
- A hundred.
- ichi
- One.
- ju
- Ten.
- ku / kyu
- Nine.
- ni
- Two.
- roku
- Six.
- san
- Three.
- shichi / nana
- Seven.
- yon / shi
- Four.
Kicking Techniques
- geri
- Kick.
- mae geri
- Front kick.
- mawashi geri
- Roundhouse kick.
- ushiro geri
- Back thrust kick.
- yoko keage
- Side snap kick.
- yoko kekome
- Side thrust kick.
Miscellaneous Terms
- chudan
- Middle / stomach level.
- dan
- Black belt rank.
- dojo
- Training hall.
- gi
- Uniform.
- hai
- Yes, or an acknowledgement.
- hajime
- Begin!
- hidari
- Left.
- ippon kumite
- One step sparring.
- jodan
- Head level.
- karatedo
- Empty hand way.
- karateka
- Karate practitioner / trainee.
- kari
- Half rank.
- kata
- Form.
- kiai
- A spirited shout, or yell, for focus.
- kihon
- Basics.
- kime
- Focus of a technique.
- kizami
- Leading side.
- kumite
- Sparring.
- kyu
- Color belt rank.
- mae
- Front.
- matte
- Stop.
- migi
- Right.
- obi
- Belt.
- ossu
- Masculine acknowledgement / greeting.
- rei
- Bow.
- sanbon kumite
- Three step sparring.
- seiza
- Formal sitting posture.
- sempai
- Senior student.
- sensei
- Teacher.
- shiai
- A tournament, or competition.
- shisei
- Posture.
- tokui
- Favorite.
- yame
- Stop.
- yoko
- Side.
- zanshin
- Continuation of energy / Follow through.
Questions? Comments?
E-mail the club at:
karate@umn.edu
Contents are Copyright ©2004 UMN Shotokan Karate Club.
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
E-mail the club at:
karate@umn.edu
Contents are Copyright ©2004 UMN Shotokan Karate Club.
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author.
The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by the University of Minnesota.
The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by the University of Minnesota.