In this article, we will share a list of words related to Karate. A vocabulary with strikes and other words that we hear or are related to the sport. I hope you enjoy the article.
This document is from a source whose author I could not identify. It is a quite popular list that has been spread across the internet. Unfortunately, it lacked things like kanji and kana, which I tried to add.
Main Techniques of Karate
- Age Zuki – upward punch
- Ashi Barai – sweep
- Ashi Waza – leg technique
- Choku Zuki – straight punch
- Enpi Uchi – elbow strike (HIJI ATE)
- Fumi Komi Geri – downward thrust kick – stomp
- Gyaku Zumi – reverse punch
- Hiza Geri – knee strike
- Kagi Zuki – hook punch
- Keri Waza – kicking technique
- Kizami Zuki – short punch
- Mae Geri – front kick
- Mawashi Geri – roundhouse kick
- Mikazuki Geri – crescent kick
- Nami Gaeshi – “returning wave” – used as defense or attack
- Nidan Geri – double kick
- Nukite – spearhand
- Oi Zuki – advancing punch
- Shuto Uchi – knife-hand strike
- Suri Ashi – short movement; walking little by little
- Tate Zuki – vertical punch
- Teisho Uchi – palm heel strike
- Tettsui Uchi – hammer fist strike
- Tobi Geri – jumping kick
- Tsouki Waza – punching technique
- Uchi Waza – attack technique
- Uraken Uchi – back fist strike
- Ushiro Geri – back kick
- Yoko Geri Kekoge – upward side kick
- Yoko Geri Kekomi – penetrating side kick
- Yori ashi – long movement
List of words related to Karate
Responsive Table: Scroll the table sideways with your finger >>
| 上げ | Age | action of raising, lifting |
| あいはっみ | Ai Hammi | relative position of two practitioners, with the same leg forward |
| 合氣 | Aiki | “Harmonious meeting”. When combining the energy of opponents with your own, for control. |
| 相打ち | Aiuchi | simultaneous strike |
| 赤 | Aka | red competitor |
| 青 | Ao | blue competitor |
| 足 | Ashi | foot, legs |
| 足払い | Ashi Barai | sweep; leg sweep |
| 足踏み替え | Ashi fumikae | leg change |
| 足ろ | Ashiro | spinning strike |
| 頭 | Atama | head |
| 当身 | Atemi | strike; hit |
| 合わせ | Awase | combination, junction, harmonization |
| 歩み | Ayumi | progress |
| 払い | Barai | sweeping |
| 拔塞 | Bassai | kata; breaking fortress |
| 棒 | Bo | long staff |
| 棒術 | Bojutsu | staff techniques |
| 木剣 | Bokken | wooden sword |
| 武士 | Bushi | warrior (samurai) |
| 武人 | Bujin | Translated as “the military person” or “the warrior person”. |
| 武術 | Bujutsu | “Martial Arts”, collective term for all Japanese arts practiced by the Samurai. Real combat techniques. |
| 武家 | Buke | Samurai. Translated as “the military person or class”. |
| 分解 | Bunkai | study of techniques and applications of KATA |
| 武士道 | Bushido | samurai code; |
| 気 | Chi | Chinese word for vital energy, the same as “KI” |
| 腸 | Chou | intestine |
| 中段 | Chudan | middle level (target), from neck to waist |
| 立ち | Dachi | stance or base position. (Example |
| 大 | Daí | big |
| 段 | Dan | black belt level |
| 段外 | Dangai | all colored belts, except black |
| 道 | Do | spiritual path of discipline. |
| 道場 | Dojo (Doujou) | place where one seeks the path, training place, gym |
| Doryoku | effort, endeavor | |
| 演舞前 | Enbuzen | line of action of a kata, diagram of a kata |
| えんぴ | Empi | elbow, elbow strike / Kata |
| 不動心 | Fudoshin | unwavering state (See Mental Level Themes) |
| 踏み | Fumi | crush |
| 眼科く | Gankaku | Crane on the rock |
| 五箇山 | Gasho | joining hands in front of the face to make a greeting (Zen, Mokuso |
| 下段 | Gedan | low zone, lower level (target), from waist to foot |
| Gi | clothing for practice consisting of Uwagi (jacket), Zubon (pants) and Obi (belt) | |
| Giaku | strike with the hand opposite to the leg that is forward | |
| Go No Sen | take the initiative later, tactic of letting the opponent attack first to counterattack | |
| Godan | fifth (5th) | |
| Gohon Kumitê | work with the opponent, in five steps | |
| Gohon | fifth / quintuple | |
| Gojushiho | fifty-four steps | |
| Goshin | self-defense | |
逆 | Gyaku | opposite, inverse |
| Ha | break (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Hajimê | initiate, start | |
鼻 | Hana | nose |
| 半月 | Hangetsu | half moon |
袴 | Hakama | wide pants worn over the Gi like Kyudo, Kendo, Aikido, Iaido, etc. |
| 半身 | Hanmi | semi-forward position |
| 反対 | Hantai | turn around |
| 判定 | Hantei | decision by flag (voting of the assistant referees) of a tied fight |
| 八方 | Happo | eight directions |
腹 | Hara | belly, abdomen |
| Heian (or Pinan) | means calm mind, peace and tranquility. Heian refers to an important period in Japanese history. | |
| Heijo-shin | naturalness (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| 平行 | Heiko | parallel |
| 変化 | Henka | change (of position) |
| Henka-Waza | change of techniques or techniques of change | |
| 左 | Hidari | left |
| Hidari Waki-gamae | posture to the left side | |
| Hiji | elbow | |
| Hikitê / Hikiashi | hand pull to the hip / foot pull | |
| Hiki-Waki | tie | |
| Hitosu | one, a unit | |
| Hiza | knees | |
| Ho | direction, sense, method | |
| Horan-no-kamae | starting position of some katas where the hand covers the closed fist | |
| Ho-shin | mental freedom (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Hyoshi | rhythm | |
| I | stomach | |
| Ichibyoshi | in one breath or in one breath | |
| Ikken Hissatsu | kill with one blow | |
| Imashimuru | reprimand, prohibit, repress, contain | |
| 一本 | Ippon | one (point, step, attack) |
| Ippon kumitê | work with the opponent with one attack and one defense | |
| Irimi | entry movement (into the opponent’s circle) | |
| Jiku Ashi | axis leg | |
| Jiin | love and protection | |
| Jinkaku | character, personality | |
| Jion | love and gratitude | |
| Jissen | real fight | |
| Jitsu | technique, opportunity or maturity (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Jitte | ten hands or ten techniques | |
| Jiyu | free | |
| Jiyu Ippon Kumite | controlled free combat with only attack | |
| Jiyu Kumite | free fight, controlled combat exercises | |
| Jo | high | |
| Jodan | upper level (target), high zone (neck up) | |
| Joseki: upper side, place of honor (in the dojo, the south wall, to the right of the main wall) | ||
| Jun Kaiten | regular spin | |
| Ju Kumite | combat in softness | |
| Kafa | shoulder | |
| Kagi / Kake | hook, to hook | |
| Kaisho-Waza | open hand techniques | |
| Kakato | heel | |
| Kekki | impetuosity, fervor, violence | |
| Kamae | alert or defense position, guard, to position oneself, posture, base (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Kamaete | order to take position | |
| Kamiza | main wall of the Dojo, on the east side, where the Tokonoma is located | |
| Kan | look | |
| Kansei | formation, conclusion, termination, finishing | |
| Kanzou | liver | |
| Kanku-Dai | contemplate the universe | |
| Kanku-Sho | Looking at the universe, observing the universe | |
| Kara | empty | |
| 体 | Karada | body, the same as “Tai” |
| 空手道 | Karate-Do | The art of empty hands, or the path that contains the universe |
| Karikome | invade, penetrate | |
| Kata | formal exercises performed in a chained and predetermined manner, representative of a style | |
| 刀 | Katana | sword |
| Keage | quick upward movement | |
| Keiko | training | |
| Kekomi | penetrating movement | |
| 剣 | Ken | sabre, sword / condition of activity |
| Ken No Sem | take advantage of the previous initiative | |
| Ken-tai-ishi | set of defense and attack (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Keri or Gueri | kick, foot strike | |
| Keri-nuke | get rid of the enemy with a kick | |
| Ki | intrinsic energy, vital energy. “Spirit”. Ideally, the mental and spiritual power, obtained through concentration and breathing, which can be applied to physical achievements. This centralized energy, inherent to every person, can be amplified and manifested objectively, through the practice of any martial arts discipline. | |
| Kiai | shout released with the purpose of focusing all energy in a single moment – manifestation of KI / externalization of energy through the shout | |
| Kihaki | spirit | |
| Kihon | fundamentals, basic techniques | |
| Kime | focus of power; finishing; union of physical and mental energy at the moment of impact, decision | |
| Kime-Waza | decisive technique | |
| 起立 | Kiritsu | stand up |
| Ko | small, posterior | |
| Kobu-Do (Kobu – Jutsu) Path, or technique of the ancient martial arts of the warriors of Okinawa. | ||
| Kohai | younger practitioner, the opposite of Sempai | |
| Kokoro | spirit, heart | |
| Kokyu | breathing (rhythm), respiratory strength | |
| Koto | suffixed that transforms the expression into an order; competition area | |
| Koshi /Goshi | hip, ball of the foot | |
| Kote | wrist | |
| Ku | nothing, empty, sky | |
| Kubi | neck | |
| Kuchi | mouth | |
| Kumite | Fight, combat, training where defense and attack techniques are applied | |
| Kun | commandment, obligation | |
| Kurai | degree of virtue (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Kuzishi | imbalance | |
| Kyo | failure (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Kyodo | movement | |
| Kyusho | vital points | |
| Kyu | belt level below black | |
| Maai | distancing, correct distance | |
| Mae | frontal, front | |
| Maki | to roll | |
| Makiwara | traditional target of straw rolled on a wood fixed to the ground for training strikes with hands | |
| Makoto | truth, sincerity, honesty | |
| Mamoru | to obey, respect, guard, fulfill, defend | |
| Mawarikomi | to turn (like a pestle) | |
| Mawashi | circular movement | |
| Me | eye | |
| Meikyo | clean mirror, mirror of the soul (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Me No Tsukekata | fixation of the eyes | |
| Metsuke | how to look and observe (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Michi | path | |
| Midale | karate training method that consists of attacks | |
| 右 | Migi | right |
| Migi Waki-gamae | right side position | |
| Mimi | ear | |
| Mitsu-no-koki | three chances (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Mokuso: literally | not to think; attitude of concentration performed during the ceremonial beginning and end of Budo practice, meditation | |
| Momo | thighs | |
| Moroashi-gari | two-legged sweep | |
| Morote | both hands | |
| Moto no ichi | initial position | |
| Mu | The concept of total denial of everything that seems to exist (Maya), analogous to Shunya in Buddhist philosophy. | |
| Munem | extreme emptiness in intention (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Munen Muso | free of all ideas and thoughts | |
| Mushin | state of integration between mind and body in which the mind is free of illusions (unnecessary thoughts) | |
| Mussô | extreme emptiness in thought (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Nanandan | seventh (7th) | |
| Nidan | second (2nd) | |
| Nage Waza | projection techniques | |
| Neko | cat | |
| Nihon | second / double | |
| Nijushiho | 24 steps | |
| Nobashi | extension, action of stretching | |
| Nodo | throat | |
| Nokachi | victory | |
| Nukite | attack with the fingertips | |
| O | big | |
| Oi | strike with the same hand as the leg that is forward | |
| Omonzuru | to respect, to have great consideration for, to appreciate, to esteem, to venerate, to honor | |
| お尻 | Oshiri | buttocks |
| Okuri | to slide | |
| Osae | immobilization | |
| Otagai-ni-rei | mutual greeting | |
| Otoshi | movement from top to bottom | |
| Pinan | See Heian | |
| Randori | free combat | |
| Rei | to greet, salutation | |
| Reigi | etiquette, courtesy, civility, good manners, respect | |
| Renzoku Waza | continuous techniques | |
| Ri | expansion (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Ritsu-rei | standing greeting | |
| Ryo | both | |
| Ryu | style, school | |
| Sabaki | dodge | |
| Sai | trident-shaped weapon originating from Okinawa | |
| Samurai | Japanese warrior faithful to codes of honor and conduct | |
| Sambon-kumite | combat in three attacks | |
| San-satsuho | strategy (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Sanbon | third / triple | |
| Sandan | third (3rd) | |
| Sasae | to sustain, support | |
| Satori | Perfection. Opening of the mind and spirit, resulting from the accumulation of knowledge, intuitive understanding, or sudden experience that reveals the ultimate reality of beings and things, as well as total identity with oneself and the universe. | |
| Sei | tranquility, inactivity | |
| Seishin | spirit, soul, will, intention, mentality | |
| Seiza | correct way to sit, sitting in the kneeling position | |
| Sem No Sem | to take the initiative first | |
| Sempai | senior student, older | |
| Senaka | back | |
| Sen-no-sen | anticipation | |
| 先生 | Sensei | teacher; master |
| Sensei-ni-rei | greeting to the teacher | |
| Sensei-ni-tashi-rei | greeting towards the teacher | |
| Shihan | high-level teacher | |
| Shiho | four directions | |
| Shikko | to walk in the kneeling position | |
| Shim | spirit | |
| Shimoza | west wall of the dojo, opposite the kamiza, where students sit | |
| Shimozeki | north wall of the Dojo, where non-practicing assistants can stay | |
| Shiro | white competitor, still used in FPKI and CBKI competitions | |
| Shi-shin | captivity (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Shissui | clean water (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Shizen Kumite | natural kumite | |
| Shizentai | natural position – body remains relaxed but alert, standing | |
| Shinzou | heart | |
| Sho | interior, small, particular | |
| Shobu-Zuyosa | to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat | |
| Shodan | first (1st) | |
| Shomen | front | |
| Shomen-ni-rei | greeting to the main wall of the Dojo | |
| Shotei | palm strike | |
| Shu | defense (See Mental Level Themes) | |
| Shuto | strike with the open hand using the side of the hand of the little finger | |
| Sochin | unwavering spirit | |
| Sokuto | side of the foot, little toe side | |
| Sonoba | stopped | |
| Soto | outside | |
| Sun-Dome | interruption of a technique, to stop a technique | |
| Sutemi | Body abandonment, techniques in which the performer lets themselves fall | |
| Tai | Body, the same, the same as “karada”, state of alertness | |
| Tai-No Sen | evaluation of the subsequent initiative | |
| Tai Sabaki | dodge | |
| Tachikata | position, posture | |
| Tate | vertical | |
| Te | hand | |
| Tekki | Iron Knight. Fighting sideways. To ride | |
| Tekubi | wrist | |
| Tchudan | middle zone | |
| To: | distant, far | |
| Tobi | to jump, jumping strike | |
| Tokui | strongest | |
| Tokui-Waza | strongest technique | |
| Tomari-Te | combat techniques originating from the island of Tomari (Okinawa) | |
| Tomae | circular | |
| Tori | the one who attacks, the one who executes | |
| Tsuki | direct strike, punch | |
| Tsukkomi | lunge | |
| Tsutomuru | to strive, to endeavor, to try hard | |
| Uchi | indirect strike, inside, interior | |
| Ude | arm, forearm | |
| Uke | defense, block | |
| Ukemi | fall, roll | |
| Unso | separating the clouds | |
| Ura | movement performed by rolling; the back of the opponent | |
| Ushiro | back part, behind, to the back | |
| Wa | Peace, harmony. | |
| Wankan | crown of the king | |
| Waza | technique | |
| Waza O Hodokosu Koki | psychological moment to execute a technique | |
| Wakibara | side of the thorax | |
| Yakosoku | agreement, without resistance | |
| Yame | to stop | |
| Yashinau | to nourish, sustain, maintain, raise | |
| Yasume | order to relax | |
| Yoi | to prepare, waiting position, ready to work, order of attention | |
| Yori-ashi | foot slides (like the advance of a kizame-zuki) | |
| Yoko | side, lateral | |
| Yonbon | fourth / quadruple | |
| Yondan | fourth (4th) | |
| Yu | vigor, courage | |
| Yubi | fingers | |
| 油断者 | Yudansha | graduated practitioner; black belt (any degree) |
| 斬新 | Zanshin | state of mental/spiritual reserve, warrior spirit, focused |
| 座礼 | Za-rei | sitting greeting, salutation in seiza |
| 前方 | Zenpo | in the frontal direction |
| 前 | Zen | front, Japanese discipline, a current of Buddhism |
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