General Terms and Techniques

Most terms and techniques used in Karate have their roots in military Japanese language or in the dialect of Okinawa where Karate originated:

• Ashi waza - Kicking techniques
• Atemi waza - Striking techniques
• Chudan - Middle/Stomach level
• Dan - Black belt rank
• Dan/Kyu System - The grading system in Karate, represented by coloured belts and dan numbers
• Dojo - Karate training hall
• Dojo Kun - A set of guidelines for the karateka to follow in training and in everyday life
• Gedan - Lower level body
• Geri - Kick
• Gi - Karate suit
• Go - Five
• Hachi - Eight
• Hai - Yes
• Hajimi - Begin
• Heian Kata - Basic kata consisting of between 20 and 27 different moves
• Hidari - Left
• Hyaku - One hundred
• Ichi - One
• Jodan - Head level
• Ju - Ten
• Karatedo - Empty hand way
• Karateka - Someone who practices Karate
• Kari - Half rank
• Kata - Forms or patterns of techniques
• Kiai - Shout of the spirit which marks the climax and final blow of a kata sequence.
• Kihon - Basic moves
• Kizami - Leading side
• Kime - The ability to concentrate the greatest amount of force at the point of attack (punch, kick or strike) or defence (block)
• Kobudo Kata - Forms using weapons
• Kumite - Sparring
• Kyu - Nine
• Mae - Front
• Matte - Stop
• Mawatte - Turn
• Migi - Right
• Mudansha - Literally meaning ‘one without dan,’ this is the name given to lower graded Karateka.
• Nana - Seven
• Ni - Two
• Obi - Karate belt
• Ossu - Masculine greeting
• Rei - Bow
• Roku - Siz
• San - Three
• Seiza - Formal sitting posture
• Sempai - Senior student
• Sensei - Karate instructor
• Shi - Four
• Shiai - A tournament
• Shisei - Posture
• Tatame - A mat for training
• Tekki Kata - Advanced kata consisting of up to 70 different moves.
• Tokui - Favourite
• Tzuki - Punch
• Uchi - Strike
• Uke - Block
• Yamay - Return to ready position
• Yame - Stop
• Yoko - Side
• Yudansha - Literally meaning ‘one with dan,’ this is the name given to the highest grade of Karateka marked by a black belt.
• Waza - Technique
• Zanshin - Continuation of energy/ follow through