Breaking Down Karate Terminologies
Regardless if you’re a beginner or advanced martial artist learning the importance of breaking down karate terminologies is so crucial. As every martial artist has discovered, that memorising all your techniques and katas can be a challenging process within itself. But then you have to add the ability to incorporate learning and remembering these skills using Japanese terminology. When I first started training and began learning this, my first thought was where can I find a list that was easy accessible and but also easy to understand.
You are probably wondering why is this so important, when you can just learn the same terms but using english or your own language. One of the most important things to remember is when you start your journey, you are not just studying techniques, you are studying an art, its history and way of life. And japanese terminology is a big part of that.
I have put together a quick guide that will assist in making your martial arts journey even easier.
KARATE COUNTING
- Ichi – 1
- Ni – 2
- San – 3
- Shi – 4
- Go – 5
- Roku – 6
- Shichi – 7
- Hachi – 8
- Kyu – 9
- Ju – 10
- Ni Ju – 20
- San Ju – 30
- Yon Ju – 40
- Go Ju – 50
- Roku Ju – 60
- Nana Ju – 70
- Hachi Ju – 80
- Kyu Ju – 90
- Hyaku – 100
KARATE LEVELS AND DIRECTIONS
- Jodan – Upper Level
- Chudan – Middle Level
- Gedan – Lower Level
- Hiza Shita – Below the knee
- Hidari – Left
- Migi – Right
- Mae – Forward
- Yoko – Sideways
- Ushiro – Backwards
- Uchi – Inside
- Soto – Outside
- Kawa/Gawa – Side
- Uchi Gawa – Inside
- Soto Gawa – Outside
- Joho – Upward
- Kaho – Downward
- Zenpo – Front Direction
- Koho – Back Direction
- Sukuho – Side Direction
- Uho – Right Direction
- Saho – Left Direction
TRAINING ELEMENTS
- Kihon – Basic Training
- Kata – Form
- Sentei Kata – Selected Kata
- Shitei Kata – Designated Kata
- Tokui Kata – Favourite Kata
- Bunkai – To analyse or breakdown a kata
- Kumite – Sparring
- Oyo – Application
- Gohon Kumite – Five Step Sparring
- Sanbon Kumite – Three Step Sparring
- Kihon-Ippon Kumite – Basic One Step Sparring
- Jiyu-Ippon Kumite – Freestyle One Step Sparring
- Kaeshi-Ippon Kumite – Returning One Step Sparring
- Okuri-Ippon Kumite – Sparring with two attacks in a row
- Yakusoku Kumite – Appointment Sparring
- Happo Kumite – Sparring in 8 directions against multiple attackers
- Jiyu Kumite – Freestyle Sparring
- Oyo Kumite – Application Sparring
- Tanren Kumite – Drill Sparring
- Kyogi Kumite – Competitive Sparring
- Shiai Kumite – Sparring performed in Budo
KARATE COMMANDS AND PHRASES
- Arigato Gozaimasu – Thanks
- Doitashimashite – Welcome
- Yukkuri – Slowly
- Yoi – Attention, ready
- Yame – Stop
- Hajime – Start
- Hayaku – Quickly/Fast
- Tatte Kudasai – Standing up
- Seikaku Ni – Exactly, Precisely or Accurately
- Sumimasen – Sorry, excuse me
- Soto – Exterior, outside
- Shugo – Gather together, line up
- Shomen Ni Taishi – Facing the front
- Shomen Ni Rei – Bowing to the front
- Sensei Ni Taishi – Facing the teacher
- Sensei Ni Rei – Bowing to the teacher
- Sayonara – Bye
- Rei – Bow
- Otagai Ni Rei – Bowing to everyone
- Onegaishimasu – Kindly teach me
- Naore – Recover or Return to normal
- Narande – Lining up
- Mawatte – Turn
- Mokuso Yame – Stop meditation
- Mokuso – Start meditation
- Moichido – Again, once more
- Matte – Please, wait
- Tsuyoku – Strongly, powerfully
- Kiotsuke – Notice, attention
- Kamaete – Get into position
- Irimi – Enter straight
- Hantai – Different direction
GENERAL TERMS USED IN BREAKING DOWN KARATE TERMINOLOGIES
- Zarei – Bowing down or lowering your head
- Yuudansha – The black belt earner
- Waza – Techniques
- Ushiro – Rear, back
- Uke – The person who acquires a technique
- Tameshiwari – To break bricks, boards, etc.
- Sabaki/Tai Sabaki – Dodge, protective body movement
- Shiai – A sparring match
- Ritsurei – Pose for standing bow
- Obi – A karate belt
- Mudansha – A person with black belt
- Muchimi – Explosive but soft technique
- Makiwara – Strike the board
- Maai – The distance
- Koudansha – Person with a black belt of high level
- Kokyu – Breath
- Kokyu Ho – Methods for breathing
- Kime – The striking energy
- Kiai – The spirit yell
- Ki – The life energy
- Karateka – A student of Karate
- Kamiza – Shrine or seat of glory
- Hai – Yes
- Lie – No
- Hyoshi – Tempo, rhythm
- Goshin Jutsu – Techniques for self-defense
- Gi –Uniform for Karate
- Embusen – Kata movement line
- Dojo Kun – The school code
- Dojo – The place to practice and learn
- Deshi – Pupil, student
- Deai – Reprisal, counterattack
- Dan – Black belt degrees
- Chinkuchi – Punching strikes
- Budo – The martial arts
- Barai – Sweeping
- Ai – Cooperation, harmony
KARATE TERMS RANKS & TITLES
- Dan – Black belt ranks
- Mukyu – Has no level
- Kyu – The ranks that are below a black belt
- Gokyu – 5th level
- Shodan – Black belt with first degree
- Nidan – Black belt with second degree
- Sandan – Black belt with third degree
- Yondan – Black belt with fourth degree
- Godan – Black belt with fifth degree
- Rokudan – Black belt with sixth degree
- Nanadan – Black belt with seventh degree
- Hachidan – Black belt with eighth degree
- Kudan – Black belt with ninth degree
- Judan – Black belt with tenth degree
- Kyoshi – Experienced teacher
- Hanshi – The master teacher
- Shihan – Professor
- Shidoshi – The dojo manager
- Shidoin – An assistant trainer
- Sensei – The teacher
- Sempai/Senpai – A senior student
- Renshi – A senior teacher
BODY PARTS & TARGETS
- Yubi – Fingers
- Wanto – The sword arm
- Ude – Forearm
- Tsumasaki – Toes
- Tekubi – Wrists
- Te – Hands
- Suigetsu – The solar plexus
- Sokuto – Foot edge, foot blade
- Sokutei – Sole of the foot
- Soku – The foot
- Shinkei – Nerves
- Nodo – The throat
- Mune – The chest
- Me – Eyes
- Kubi – The neck
- Zenzoku/Koshi – Ball of the foot
- Koshi – Hips
- Kakato – The heel
- Hiza – Knees
- Empi/Hiji – Elbows
- Hana – The nose
- Haisoku – The reverse foot
- Atama – The head
- Ashi kubi – Ankles
- Ashi – Leg, foot
- Ago – Jaw, chin
STANCES (BREAKING DOWN KARATE TERMINOLOGIES)
- Zenkutsu Dachi – The front stance
- Sagi Ashi Dachi/Tsuru Ashi Dachi – Heron or Crane leg stance
- Shizentai Dachi – The natural stance
- Jigotai Dachi/Shiko Dachi – Open feet, horse stance
- Seiza – The kneeling stance
- Sanchin Dachi – The three fights stance
- Neko Ashi Dachi – The cat stance
- Seisan Dachi – The universal stance
- Musubi Dachi – Heels together, standing stance
- Kosa Dachi – The cross-leg stance
- Kokutsu Dachi – The back stance
- Naihanchi Dachi/Kiba Dachi – The horse ride stance
- Kamae – Taking a stance, fighting posture
- Ippon Ashi Dachi – Single leg stance
- Iaigoshi Dachi – Single leg kneel stance
- Heisoku Dachi – The closed stance for leg
- Heiko Dachi – The parallel stance
- Han Zenkutsu Dachi – The half-front stance
- Hachiji Dachi – The natural open stance
- Sochin Dachi/Fudo Dachi – The unshakable stance
BLOCKS
- Uke – Blocking
- Wari Uke – Split blocking
- Torite Uke – Grabbing the hand block
- Sune Uke – Blocking with tibia
- Shuto Uke – The knife hand blocking
- Shotei Uke – The palm heel blocking
- Sayu Barai Uke – Dual sweeping block
- Sasae Uke – The supported forearm blocking
- Sagurite Uke – Finding hand block
- Otoshi Uke – Drop the block
- Morote Soe Uke – Wedge block, augmented forearm blocking
- Morote Barai Uke – The augmented lower blocking
- Makite Uke – Wind knife hand blocking
- Magetori Barai Uke – Rise dual knife hand blocking
- Kosa Uke – The cross blocking
- Age Uke/Jodan Uke – Rising block, upper-level blocking
- Hiji Uke – The elbow blocking
- Hazushi Uke – Remove block
- Hasami Uke – The scissor blocking
- Hari Uke – The sweeping block
- Hangetsu Barai Uke – The half-moon sweep block
- Haito Uke – Back knife hand blocking
- Gedan Yoko Barai Uke – The lower sideward sweep block
- Gedan Uke/Gedan Barai – The lower level blocking/ lower sweep blocking
- Chudan Yoko Uke – The middle sideward blocking
- Chudan Uchi Uke – The middle inward blocking
- Chudan Soto Uke – The middle outward blocking
- Chudan Soto Mawashi Uke – The middle sideward circular blocking
KARATE KICKS
- Yoko Tobi Geri – Flying a sidekick
- Yoko Geri – Kick at the side
- Ushiro Geri – Kick at the back
- Ura Mawashi Geri – Hook kick or roundhouse kick
- Tsumasaki Geri – The toe kick
- Mikazuki Geri – Moon kick
- Mawashi Geri – Roundhouse kick with the top foot
- Mae Tobi Geri – Flying the front kick
- Mae Geri Kakato –Front kicking with heel
- Mae Geri – Front kicking
- Kyobu Geri – Kick at the chest area
- Kinteki Geri – The groin kick
- Keri Komi, Kekomi – The thrust kick
- Keage/Keri Age – Rising kick, snap kick
- Gyaku Mikazuki Geri – Reverse moon kick
- Fukubu Geri – The abdomen kick
- Ashi Dome – Groin/ lower abdomen stop kick
- Ashi Barai – Leg sweeping
KNEE STRIKES
- Mawashi Tobi Hiza Geri – Flying round knee kicking
- Mawashi Hiza Geri – Round knee kicking
- Mae Tobi Hiza Geri – Front flying knee kicking
- Mae Hiza Geri – Front knee kicking
FOOTWORK (BREAKING DOWN KARATE TERMINOLOGIES)
- Yori Ashi – A half step
- Tenkan Ashi – 180-degree pivot
- Okuri Ashi – Front crossed step
- Kosa Ashi – Switching the side
- Hiraki Ashi – Dodge, outside step
- Hiki Ashi – Backstep
- Ayumi Ashi – Normal walking
KARATE STRIKES
- Uraken Uchi – Striking back fist
- Uchi Waza – Techniques for striking
- Zuki/Tsuki– Punching
- Tettsui Uchi – The iron hammer striking
- Sayu Zuki – Dual side punch
- Oyayubi Lppon Ken – Thumb knuckle, thumb fist
- Oi Zuki – Chasing punch, lunge punch
- Morote Zuki – Dual horizontal punch
- Morote Nuki Zuki – Dual spear hand thrusts
- Kakushi Zuki – The hidden fist punching
- Kaku Zuki – The square punch
- Jodan Zuki – The upper-level punching
- Gyaku Zuki – The reverse punching
- Gedan Zuki – The lower level punching
- Chudan Zuki – The middle-level punching
- Awase Zuki – Dua vertical punching
- Age Zuki – The rising punch
- Haito Uchi – Back knife-hand striking
- Washide Uchi – The Eagle beak striking
- Shotei Uchi/Teisho Uchi – Palm striking
- Shuto Uchi – The knife hand striking
- Toride Zuki/Shi Zuki– Bird hand striking/Chicken beak thrusts
- Ryotoken Zuki – The fore knuckle fisting
- Nukite Zuki – The spear hand thrusts
- Nihon Nukite – The two-finger striking
- Nakadaka Lppon Ken – Knuckle fist with the middle finger
- Kumade Uchi – The bear hand
- Ippon Ken – Fist with one finger
ELBOW STRIKES
- Yoko Hiji Ate – The side elbow striking
- Ushiro Hiji Ate – Back elbow striking
- Tate Hiji Ate – Up elbow striking
- Sasae Hiji Ate – The assisted elbow striking
- Mawashi Hiji Ate – Round elbow striking
EVASION TECHNIQUES
- Yoko Sabaki – The side evasion
- Naname Ushiro Sabaki – Back oblique evasion
- Naname Mae Sabaki – Oblique evasion at the back
TOURNAMENT TERMS (BREAKING DOWN KARATE TERMINOLOGIES)
The tournament terms section is dedicated to the vocabulary used in Karate competitions. It includes scoring terms, rules, and other competition-related jargon, essential for competitors and enthusiasts alike.
(Aka/Shiro) no Kachi: (red/white) wins!
Aiuchi: Simultaneous strike
Aka: Red
Hansoku Chui: Foul warning (point awarded to opponent)
Ippon: One point
Jogai: Out of the ring (exclusion)
Moto no Ichi: Starting position
Mubobi: Failing to defend yourself
Sanbon Kumite : Three-point sparring match
Shiai: Tournament combat
Shikkaku: Disqualification
Shiro: White
Torimasen : No point
Waza-ari: Half point
FINAL THOUGHTS
Breaking down karate terminologies is like unraveling the secrets of a beautiful and profound language. Each term holds meaning, reflecting the essence and philosophy of this ancient martial art. Embrace the karate terminology as a gateway to deeper understanding, enriching your experience on the mat and connecting you to the legacy of generations of karate practitioners.
In wrapping up this article about karate terminology, I hope you’ve learned a few new words – I know I certainly have while researching for this article. The depth and richness this arts vocabulary. To me is just as fascinating as they are integral to the physical practice of this traditional martial art.