General

Kyoshi Expert Teacher (7th Dan­)

Shihan Teacher of teachers (5th & 6th Dan­)

Sensei Teacher (3rd & 4th Dan­)

Sempai Senior Student (2nd Kyu­+)

Dan Stage of proficienty within black belt

Kyu Grade of student before black belt

Word Pronunciation Meaning

Ishin       Ish-in All of One Heart

Ryu          Roo School or style

Ishinryu Ish-in-roo

Karate     Empty hand

Karate do   Way of Karate

Dojo Place of training in Karate (“the Way”)

Hombu     The central (main) dojo

Karateka  Person who practises Karate

Kata         Pre arranged sequence of techniques

Kumite       Sparring

Kiai            Loud shout – harmony of spirit

Gi         Uniform

Obi          Belt

Seiza      Kneel

Rei           Bow with respect

Shugo     Line up

Kamae te Get into position

Oos          Various: Yes, thank you, hello

Hai           Yes

Barai         Sweep

Budo      Martial way

Bunkai     Analysis of techniques

Hajime       Begin

Hanmi     Hips turned, abdomen half facing

Hikite     Pulling hand

Kekomi       Thrust

Kihon     Basic training technique

Kime      Focus

Ma’ai     Distance / timing

Mokuso       Meditation (eyes closed)

Nagashi      Sweeping movement

Naore     Relax

Tai Sabaki Body movement/shifting

Waza      Technique

Yame     Stop

Yoi           Get ready

Zanshin      Alert posture

Kumite

Kumite Sparring

Ippon Kumite     One step sparring

Sanbon Kumite       Three step sparring against multiple and varied techniques

Jiyu Kumite          Free sparring

Direction

Age          Rising

Chudan      Middle level (stomach height)

Embusen  Floor pattern of a kata

Gedan     Lower level (groin height)

Jodan     Upper level (face height)

Hidari     Left

Mae        Front

Mawate      Turn

Migi        Right

Otoshi     Descending

Ushiro     Behind

Yoko       Side

Numbers

1       Ichi

2      Ni

3      San

4      Shi

5      Go

6      Roku

7      Shichi

8      Hachi

9      Ku

10     Ju