Karate Terms

Click here for a pronunciation rules and a more comprehensive list of Japanese terms.

English Japanese
Natural stance shizen-tai
Front stance zenkutsu-dachi
Back stance kokutsu-dachi
Straddle/horse stance kiba-dachi
   
Straight punch choku-zuki
Reverse punch yaku-zuki
Stepping punch oi-zuki
Knife hand strike shuto
Ridge hand strike haito
Elbow strike empi-uchi
   
Front kick mae-geri
Front snap kick mae-geri-keage
Front thrust kick maegeri-kekomi
Side kick yoko-geri
Side snap kick yoko-geri-keage
Side thrust kick yoko-geri-kekomi
Back kick ushiro-geri
Roundhouse kkick mawashi-geri
Downward block gedan-barai
Forearm block ude-uke
Knife hand block shuto-uke
   
High-level (head area) joudan
Middle level (torso) chuudan
Lower level (below belt) gedan
   
Ready yoi
Begin hajime
Finish yame
Kneel seiza
Meditate mokusou
Bow rei
   
Instructor sensei
Senior sempai
Junior kouhai
   
One ichi
Two ni
Three san
Four shi
Five go
Six roku
Seven shichi
Eight hachi
Nine ku
Ten ju