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 |