Japanese Terms

It is important to know and understand the Karate terms in Japanese. Karate is practiced in many countries worldwide, and these term should be understand by every karateka to make sure to understand the instructor. Even if you don’t intend to practice in a dojo in another country, Japanese terms are also used in higher rank testings like dan tests and tournaments.

in Japanese Number

1 — ichi (eech)

2 — ni (nee)

3 — san (sahn)

4 — shi (shee)

5 — go (goh)

6 — roku (rohk)

7 —  shichi (sheech)

8 — hachi (hahch)

9 — kyu (kyoo)

10 — ju (joo)

Dojo kun (doh-joh koon) – the five precepts of shotokan karate

Kihon (kee-hohn) – basic techniques

Kata (kah-tah) – pre arranged forms consisting of techniques

Kumite (koo-mee-teh) – sparring

Osu (ohss) – used to mean almost anything; an affirmative, an agreement, a greeting, etc.

Kiai (kee-aee) – spirit yell to focus and strenghten techniques; a “coming together of decision/spirit/energy”

Onegaishimasu (oh-nay-guy-she-mus) – Expession for good will and humbleness before sparring, please help me (learn)

Arigato (ah-ree-gah-toe) – Thank you

Johdan (joh-dahn) – upper level i.e. face, chin, head

Chudan (choo-dahn) – mid-level i.e. chest, stomach

Gedan (geh-dahn) – low-level i.e. groin, knees, shins

Yoi (yoy) – get ready (into ready stance)

Hajime (hah-jee-meh) – begin

Yame (yah-meh) – stop

Yasume (yah-su-meh) – relax

Mawatte (mah-wah-teh) – turn around (in stance)

Rei (ray) – bow

Kime (kee-meh) – focus

Shomen ni rei (shoh-men nee ray) – bow to the front (of the dojo)

Sensei ni rei (sen-say nee ray) – bow to instructor

Otaigai ni rei (oh-tai-gai nee ray) – bow to each other (partner)

Seiza (say-zah) – sit (in Japanese formal sitting position)

Mokusoh (mohk-soh) – meditate

Zenkutsu dachi (zen-koo-tsoo dah-chee) – front stance

Kokutsu dachi (koh-koo-tsoo dah-chee) – back stance

Kiba dachi (kee-bah dah-chee) – side stance (horseriding/straddle stance)

Hachiji dachi (hah-chee-jee dah-chee) – ready stance (yoi position)

Age uke (ah-geh oo-keh) – rising block

Gedan barai (geh-dahn bah-raee) – downward block

Soto uke (soh-toh oo-keh) – outside forearm block

Uchi uke (oo-chee oo-keh) – inside forearm block

Ude uke – forearm block

Shuto uke (shoo-toh oo-keh) – knifehand block

Oi zuki (oy zoo-kee) – stepping punch

Gyaku zuki (gyah-koo zoo-kee) – reverse punch

Kizami zuki (kee-zah-mee zoo-kee) – jab

Sanbon zuki (sahn-bohn zoo-kee) – triple punch

Nukite (noo-kee-teh) – spearhand strike

Empi uchi (em-pee oo-chee) – elbow strike

Uraken (oo-rah-ken) – backfist strike

Tettsui (tet-soo-ee) – hammerfist strike

Mae geri (maee geh-ree) – front snap kick

Yoko geri keage (yoh-koh geh-ree keh-ah-geh) – side snap kick

Yoko geri kekomi (yoh-koh geh-ree keh-koh-mee) – side thrust kick

Kizami geri (kee-zah-mee geh-ree) – front leg snap kick

Mawashi geri (mah-wah-shee geh-ree) – roundhouse kick

Ushiro geri (oo-shee-roh geh-ree) – back thrust kick

Nidan geri (nee-dahn geh-ree) – double kick

Hiza geri (hee-zah geh-ree) – knee strike