Karate Terms (Japanese to English)

Terminology

Numbers :

rei :  zero

ichi :  one

ni :  two

san :  three

shi (yon) :  four

go :  five

roku :  six

shichi (nana) :  seven

hachi :  eight

ku :  nine

ju :  ten

ju ichi :  eleven

ju ni :  twelve

ju ku :  nineteen

ni ju :  twenty

ni ju ichi :  twenty one

san ju :  thirty

A

age: rising, upward

ago: chin

⏩ai: union, meeting; harmony

aiki: harmony, union of energies

aikido: way of harmony; Japanese martial art of joint locking and throwing

aiuchi: simultaneously striking (each other); clash

⏩aka: red

⏩ashi: leg, foot

ashi-barai: foot sweep

atama: head

ate: hit, strike, smash

atemi: hit to body

⏩awase: combined, joined together

⏩ayumi: walking, stepping

B

barai (harai): sweep

basami (hasami): scissors

⏩bo: staff, long stick used as weapon

bokken: wooden sword (katana) usually used for practice

⏩bu: martial; war, stick 

budo: martial way; way of war

⏩bunkai: analysis; study of kata applications

⏩buse (fuse): lay down

bushi: warrior

bushido: way of the warrior; warrior code

C

chakugan: focus attention; viewpoint; looking at your opponent

chi gung (qigong): (Chinese) breath skill, breathing exercises to promote internal energy development

chika-ma: short distance

⏩choku: direct, straight

chuan fa: (Chinese) fist way; Chinese martial art of striking and kicking, also known as kung fu or wushu

⏩chudan: middle level

⏩chui:  warning; usually the second warning in a competition match

D

dachi (tachi): stance; standing

dai (tai): big; great; body

⏩dan: level

daoshi (taoshi): topple, make fall

deshi: student

⏩do: path, way; torso

dogi (gi): training uniform

dojo: place for studying the way; the room in which one practices budo

domo arigato: thank you

dori (tori): hold, grab; attacker, the one applying the technique to the uke

dosoku: across torso

dozo: please

E

embusen: line on floor; performance line of a kata, kata floor pattern

empi (hiji): elbow

ensho: heel

eri: collar

F

fudo: unmoving, rooted

fukushin: corner judge, assistant judge

fumikomi: thrusting step, stomp kick

furi: swinging

⏩fuse (buse): lay down

G

gaeshi (kaeshi): reversing, returning

gaijin: outsider, foreigner, non-Japanese

gaiwan: outer forearm 

⏩ganmen : face
garami (karami): entangle, entwine

gari (kari): cut, reap

gassho: joined palm

gasshuku: special training camp

gatame (katame): lock, hold, tighten

⏩gedan: lower level

geiko (keiko): training, practice

geri (keri): kick

⏩gi (dogi): training uniform

go: five; after

go-no-sen: seize the initiative later, usually involving a defense and then a counterattack

goshi (koshi): hip; ball of the foot

guruma (kuruma): wheel

⏩gyaku: reverse, opposite

H

hachi: eight

hachiji: shape of character for hachi (8)

hadaka: naked

⏩hai: yes

haishu: backhand

haisoku: instep of foot

haito: sword-ridge; ridge-hand

haiwan: back-arm, back of forearm

hajime: begin

hakama: traditional pleated pants worn by budo students

han: half

hangetsu: half-moon

hanmi: half-body, body turning

hansoku: rule violation; disqualification from a competition event

hantai: opposite side; opposition

⏩hantei: decision

hara: stomach, belly

harai (barai): sweep

harakiri: belly cut; form of ritual suicide

hasami (basami): scissors

⏩hashiru : run
hayai: quick, fast; early 

heian: peace and stability; peaceful mind

heiko: parallel

heisoku: closed feet, feet together

henka: change sides; variation of a form or technique

⏩hidari: left

hiji (empi): elbow

hiki: pull; retreat

hikiashi: pulling foot, pulling leg

hikite: pulling hand

hikiwake: tie, equal, draw

hineri: twisting

hiragana: written symbols used as part of the Japanese writing system

hiraken: flat fist, fore-knuckle fist

hiraki: lateral dodging

hitai: forehead

hiza: knee

hodoki: freeing

hokotenkan: changes in direction

honbu: headquarters

I

iaido: way of harmony in action; Japanese martial art of drawing and cutting with the sword

ibuki: breath; forced abdominal breathing usually accompanied by throat contraction and guttural sound

ichi: one

ikken-hissatsu: one fist certain kill, to kill with one blow

inyo: symbol of the JKA

ippon: one point, one side, one step, etc.

ippon-ken: one-knuckle fist

irimi: body entering

J

jiku-ashi: pivot leg; supporting leg

jime (shime): strangulation, choking

jinchu: philtrum area just above upper lip, part of the maxilla

jiyu (jyu): freestyle, free

jiyu-ippon-kumite: 1-step free sparring, semi-free sparring

jiyu-kumite: free sparring

jo: short wooden staff

⏩jodan: upper level

⏩jogai: out of bounds

ju: soft, gentle; ten

judo: gentle way; Japanese martial art of wrestling

juji: cross, shape of character for ju (10)

jujutsu: gentle art; Japanese martial art of striking, grappling, and joint manipulation

jun: follow, chase; corresponding to

jutsu: art, technique, skill

K

kachi: victory, win; value, merit

kaeshi (gaeshi): reversing, returning

kafukubu: abdomen

kagi: hook

kaikomi: lifting the knee high and tucked in close to body (preparing for kick)

kaisho: open hand(s)

kaiten: rotation

kakato: heel

kakiwake: wedge; push aside; separate

kakuto: crane-head; back of wrist

⏩kamae: posture, position, guard

kamaete: go into position

kanji: Chinese script used as part of the Japanese writing system

kansetsu: joint; joint locking

kao: face

kara: empty

karami (garami): entangle, entwine

karate (karate-do): empty hand; Japanese martial art of punching, striking, and kicking

karateka: student of karate

kari (gari): cut, reap

kata: form, shape, pattern; one side; shoulder

katakana: written symbols used as part of the Japanese writing system

katame (gatame): lock, hold, tighten

katana: Japanese single-edged curved sword, preferred weapon of the samurai

⏩keage: snap kick; rising kick

keiko (geiko): training

keikoku: caution; usually the first warning in a competition match

keimochi: Okinawan noble class

keito: chicken head

⏩kekomi: thrust kick

ken: fist; sword

kensei: diversion, feint; sword saint, title given to a warrior of legendary skill in swordsmanship

kendo: way of the sword; Japanese martial art of fencing

kentsui: hammer-fist

keri (geri): kick

ki: internal energy, spirit, breath (pronounced chi in Chinese)

kiai: union of energy; spirit yell

kiba: horse-riding

kihon: basic, fundamental

kihon-gohon-kumite: basic 5-step sparring

kihon-ippon-kumite: basic 1-step sparring

kihon-sanbon-kumite: basic 3-step sparring

kiken: withdraw, retreat; forfeit (a match)

kime: focus; to decide; deciding factor; winning move

kinteki: testicles, groin region

ki-o-tsuke: ready at attention (in musubi-dachi)

kirigaeshi: returning cut

kirikae: switch, change

kirikae-ashi: switch the feet

kiritsu: stand up

kitsutsuki: woodpecker

kizami: jab; to nick, notch, or carve out; cutting; attacking with the lead hand or leg

ko: small

kobudo: ancient martial arts; the study of ancient weaponry

kohai: junior student

koho: rear, behind, back direction

koko: tiger-mouth

kokoro: spirit, heart

kokutsu: back bend

⏩kokyu: breathing

komi: thrust, drive forward

kosa: cross

koshi (goshi): hip; ball of the foot

koshiki: traditional, old style

kote: wrist

kubotan: self defense keychain developed by Takayuki Kubota

kudaki: crush; break into pieces

kumade: bear-hand

kumi: meeting; grip

kumite: sparring; meeting of hands

kung fu (gung fu): (Chinese) great skill; martial art of striking and kicking, also known as chuan fa or wushu

⏩kuro: black

kuruma (guruma): wheel

kutsu (kussu): bend

kuzushi: unbalancing an opponent; demolish, collapse

kyoku: extreme; ultimate

⏩kyu: rank; non-black belt; nine

kyusho: pressure point

L

M

ma: distance

maai: proper meeting distance between two partners

⏩mae: front

maki: roll up, wrap

makiwara: rolled straw; striking post

manji: swastika; swirling, vortex

matte: stop, wait

mawashi: rotating, turning; circular

mawate: turn

⏩men: face

mienai: could not see

migi: right

mikazuki: crescent-moon

mizu-nagare: water flowing

mokuso: meditation

morote: both hands, double-hand

moto-no-ichi: back to starting positions

muboubi: defenseless

mudansha: student possessing kyu level, not black belt

mugorei: without count, no count

mukae: meet; go ahead

muki (muke): facing, direction

mune (muna): chest

mushin: no mind, without thought

muso: incomparable

musubi: united

N

nagashi: flowing

nage: throw, projection

naiwan: inner forearm

nakae: enter the fighting area

nami-gaeshi: returning wave

⏩naname: diagonal

naore: recover

nei chia: (Chinese) internal styles (of martial arts)

⏩nai : no
neji: twisting, spiralling

neko-ashi: cat-leg

ni: two

nigiri: control

nukete-masu: off target attack

nukite: spear-hand

O

o: big, great

⏩obi: belt

okuri: sliding; sending

omote: front; facing; exterior

⏩osae: pressing; holding, immobilizing

oshi: pushing

osu (oss): word of acknowledgement used in many karate dojo (implies "yes, I understand")

⏩otagai: mutual, each other

⏩otoshi: falling, dropping

⏩oyo: application (of kata)

P

pankration: (Greek) all powerful;  a "no rules" match of striking and wrestling introduced in the 33rd Olympics

Q

qigong (chi gung): (Chinese) breath skill, breathing exercises to promote internal energy development

R

randori: taking chaos,grasping freedom; freestyle practice

⏩rei: bow; respect

ren: alternate, consecutive

renoji: L-shape, shape of character for re

roku: six

ryo: both, two

ryoken: both fists

ryosho: both palms

ryosoku: both sides

ryu: school, style

ryuun: current clouds, flowing clouds

S

sabaki: shifting, dodging, displacing

sagiashi: crane-leg

sakate: throat

saken: left fist

samurai: to serve; ancient Japanese warriors

san: three

sanchin: hour-glass; 3 wars

sankaku: triangle

sasae-ashi: supporting leg

sashi: stealthy

sasho: left palm

seiken: fore-fist

seiritsu: line up

seiryuto: ox-jaw; sabre

⏩seiza: sit correctly; kneel (position before and after budo class)

sempai: senior student

sen: before; advance; reaction; initiative

sen-no-sen: seize the initiative earlier, usually involving a simultaneous counter-attack

sen-sen-no-sen: seize the initiative in anticipation of opponent's attack (before the actual attack)

sensei: born before; teacher

senshu: competitor

sentei: selection, grouping

seppuku: ritual suicide

shi (yon): four

⏩shiai: match, contest

shichi (nana): seven

shihan: teacher; master teacher

shihon: four directions, four points, etc.

shikkaku: disqualification (from entire tournament)

shime (jime): strangulation, choking

shinai: practice sword made out of split bamboo, usually used in kendo

⏩shiro: white

shitei: designation; mandatory

shizen: natural

sho: palm; small

shobu: contest, match

shodan: first level black belt

shomen: front; top of head

shoto: pine waves, whispering pines; Gichin Funakoshi's pen-name

shugo: meeting

shuto: sword-hand, knife-hand

shuwan: anterior forearm

sode: sleeve

soete: added hand

soku: foot

sokumen: side

sokuto: blade of foot

soto: outside, exterior

suihei: horizontal

suigetsu: solar plexus

sukui: scooping; spoon

sun: unit of length, about 3 cm

sun-dome: to stop a technique just before making contact

suri (yori): sliding, gliding

sutemi: abandon body; sacrifice throw

suwari: kneeling

T

tachi (dachi): stance, standing

tadzuna: bridle, reins

tai (dai): big; great; body

tai chi (tai chi chuan): (Chinese) supreme ultimate (fist); Chinese internal martial art performed very slowly

⏩tadashi : right
tai-sabaki: body shifting, dodging 

tameshiwari: breaking test; breaking bricks, wood, etc.

tanden: center of abdomen, body's center of energy

tanto: short sword, knife, dagger

taoshi (daoshi): topple, make fall

tatami: training mats; straw mats

tate: vertical; stand; build

⏩te: hand

te-hodoki: hand freeing

teinoji: T-shape, shape of character for tei

teisho: palm-heel

tekki: iron horseman

tekubi: wrist

ten: sky, heaven; universe

tenkan: divert, turning, circular movement

tettsui: iron hammer, hammer-fist

tenbin: balance

to-ma: long distance

tobi (tobikomi): leap, jump, fly

tobu: head

tode: Chinese hand; Okinawan martial art preceding karate

tokui: favorite; best, one's specialty

tora: tiger

tori (dori): hold, grab; take; attacker, the one applying the technique to the uke

torimasen: did not take; competitor did not receive a point, no point

tsugi: follow; shuffle (shuffle step)

tsukami (zukami): grasp, grip, grab

tsuru: crane

tsuki (zuki): punch; thrust

tsuzukete: continue, keep going; resume fighting

U

uchi: inside, interior; strike, hit

uchikomi: driving, pounding in; repeated practice without completion

ude: arm

uke: block; receive; defender, the one receiving the technique from the tori

ukemi: break-falling, body receive

uken: right fist

uke-tsuki (tsuki-uke): block-punch

ukete-masu: blocked attack

unsoku: footwork, movements of feet

⏩ura: inverted, back

uraken: backfist

ushiro: back, behind, rear

usho: right palm

V

Vrajmushti: (Indian) thunderbolt fist or diamond fist; martial art of India focusing on grappling and striking

W

wai chia: (Chinese) external styles (of martial arts)

wakizashi: Japanese short sword, smaller version of the katana

wan: arm

washide: eagle-hand

waza: technique, skill

waza-ari: half point; technique occurred

wushu: (Chinese) martial arts; martial art of striking and kicking, also known as kung fu or chuan fa

X

Y

yakusoku-kumite: announcement sparring

yama: mountain

yame: stop, finish

yasume: relax, rest

yin yang: (Chinese) symbol representing the duality of nature

⏩yoi: ready

⏩yoko: side, sideways, lateral

yori (suri): sliding, gliding

yowai: weak; fragile

yubi: finger

yudansha: student possessing dan level(s), black belt

⏩yumi: bow (i.e. as in bow and arrow)

Z

⏩za: sit

zanshin: remaining mind, relaxed state of readiness

zenkutsu: front bend

zukami (tsukami): grasp, grip, grab

zuki (tsuki): punch; thrust

TRY TO LEARN AND SPEAK THESE JAPANESE TERMS.....IT WILL BRING YOU MORE CLOSER TO KARATE THAN EVER BEFORE.....