Vocabulary of Words and Strikes used in Karate

In this article, we are going to share a list of words related to Karate. A vocabulary with blows and other words that we hear or are related to sport. Hope you like the article.

This document is from a source in which I have not been able to identify the author. It is a very popular list that has been spread around the internet. Unfortunately, things like kanji and kana, I tried to add.

Vocabulary of words and moves used in karate

Main Karate Techniques

  • Age Zuki - Rising Punch
  • Ashi Barai - sweeping
  • Ashi Waza - leg technique
  • Choku Zuki - Straight Punch
  • Enpi Uchi - Elbow Strike (HIJI ATE)
  • Fumi Komi Geri – Downward Lunge Kick – Stomp
  • Gyaku Zumi - Counter 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 a defense or offense
  • Nidan Geri - double kick
  • Nukite - spear hand
  • Oi Zuki - advancing punch
  • Shuto Uchi - Sword Hand Slash
  • Suri Ashi – short displacement; walking little by little
  • Tate Zuki - vertical punch
  • Teisho Uchi – Palm-heel strike
  • Tettsui Uchi - Hammer Fist Strike
  • Tobi Geri - jumping kick
  • Tsouki Waza - punch 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 offset

List of words related to Karate

Responsive Table: Scroll the table sideways with your finger >>
上げAgeaction of lifting
あいはっみoh hammirelative position of two practitioners, with the same leg in front
合氣Aiki“Harmonic reunion”. When combining opponents' energy with your own, for control.
相打ちAiuchisimultaneous blow
Akacompetitor in red
Aocompetitor in blue
Ashifoot, legs
足払いAshi Baraitrip; sweep with the legs
足踏み替えAshi fumikaeleg change
足ろAshirospinning blow
Headhead
当身Atemibeat; blow
合わせAwasecombination, junction, harmonization
歩みAyumiprogress
払いBaraisweep
拔塞Bassaikata; break fortress
goodlong dick
棒術Bojutsustick techniques
木剣Bokkenwooden saber
武士Bushiwarrior (samurai)
武人BujinTranslated as "the military person" or "the warrior person".
武術Bujutsu“Military Arts”, collective term for all Japanese arts practiced by the Samurai. Real combat techniques.
武家BukeSamurai. Translated as "Military Person or Class".
分解Bunkaistudy of techniques and applications of KATA
武士道BushidoSamurai code;
ChiChinese word for vital energy, same as “KI”
Cabbageintestine
中段Chudanintermediate level (target), from neck to waist
立ちDachiposition of the legs or bases. (Example
Sogreat
Danblack belt level
段外Dangaiall color bands except black
OfSpiritual path of discipline.
道場Dojo (Doujou)place where you look for the way, place of training, gym

Doryokueffort, commitment
演舞前Enbuzenline of action of a kata, diagram of a kata
えんぴEmpielbow strike / Kata
不動心Fudoshinunshakable state (See Mental Level Themes)
踏みsmokedsmash
眼科くGankakucrane on the rock
五箇山gasput your hands together in front of your face to salute (Zen, Mokuso
下段Gedanlow zone, lower level (target), waist to foot

IOutfit for practice consisting of Uwagi (coat), Zubon (pants) and Obi (sash)

Giakustrike with the hand bets on the leg that is in front

Go No Sentake the initiative later, tactic of letting the opponent attack first to counterattack

Godanfifth (5th)

Gohon Kumitêwork with the opponent, in five steps

Gohonfifth / fivefold

Gojushihofifty four steps

Goshinself-defense

Gyakucontrary, inverse

Harupture (See Mental Level Themes)

Hajimêstart, begin

Hananose
半月Hangetsuhalf Moon

Hakamawide pants worn over the Gi like Kyudo, Kendo, Aikido, Iaido, etc.
半身Hanmisemi-front facing position
反対Hantaiturn around
判定HanteiFlag decision (assistant referees vote) of a tied fight
八方Happoeight directions

Harabelly, abdomen

Heian (or Pinan)It means calm mind, peace and tranquility. Heian refers to an important period in Japanese history.

Heijo-shinnaturalness (See Mental Level Themes)
平行
Heikoparallel
変化
henkchange (of position)

Henka-Wazachanging techniques or changing techniques

Leftleft

Hidari Waki-gamaeleft side posture

Hijielbow

Hikitê / Hikiashihand-to-hip pull/stand pull

Hiki-Wakia tie

Hitosuone unit

Kneeknees

Hodirection, method

Horan-no-kamaestarting position of some kata in which the hand covers the closed fist

Ho-shinmental freedom (See Mental Level Themes)

Hyoshirhythm

Eustomach

Ichibyoshiin one breath or in one breath

Ikken Hissatsukill with one blow

Imashimururebuke, forbid, repress, restrain
一本
Ipponone (point, step, attack)

Ippon kumitêwork with the opponent with an attack and a defense

IrimiEntry move (into opponent's circle)

Jiku Ashiaxle leg

Jinlove and protection

Jinkakucharacter, personality

Jionlove and gratitude

Jissenreal fight

Jitsutechnique, opportunity or maturity (See Mental Level Themes)

jetteten hands or ten techniques

Jiyubook

Jiyu Ippon Kumitefree (controlled) combat with only attack

Jiyu Kumitewrestling, controlled combat exercises

Jotall

Jodanupper 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 Kaitenregular turn

Ju Kumitesoft combat

Kafashoulder

Kagi / Kakehook

Kaisho-Wazaopen hand techniques

Kakatoheel

Kekkiimpetuosity, rapture, violence

Kamaealert or defensive position, guard, place oneself in position, stance, base (See Mental Level Themes)

Kamaeteorder to take position

Kamizamain wall of the Dojo, on the east side, where Tokonoma is located

Kanto look

Kanseiformation, completion, finishing

Kanzouliver

Kanku-Daicontemplate the universe

Kanku-ShoAiming at the universe, observing the universe

Karaempty

Karada - Bodybody, the same as “Tai”
空手道
Karate-DoThe art of empty hands, or the path that contains the universe

Karikomeinvade, penetrate

Kataformal exercises performed in a chained and predetermined way, representative of a

Katanasword

Keagefast upward movement

Keikotraining

Kekomipenetrating movement
Kensaber, sword / activity condition

Ken No Semtake advantage of the previous initiative

Ken-tai-ishidefense and offense set (See Mental Level Themes)

Keri or Guerikick

Keri-nukeget rid of the enemy with a kick

Kiintrinsic energy, vital energy. "Spirit". Ideally, mental and spiritual power, gained through concentration and breathing, that can be applied to physical accomplishments. This centralized energy, inherent in every person, can be amplified and manifested objectively through the practice of any martial art discipline.

Kiaicry released for the purpose of focusing all energy in a single moment – manifestation of KI / energy externalization through the cry

Kihakispirit

Kihonfundamentals, basic techniques

Kimepower focus; finish off; finalization; union of physical and mental energy at the moment of impact, decision

Kime-Wazadecisive technique
起立
Stand up.to lift; to raise

Kosmall back

Kobu-Do (Kobu - Jutsu)Way, or technique of the ancient martial arts of Okinawan warriors.

Kohaiyoungest practitioner, the opposite of Sempai

Kokorospirit, heart

Kokyubreathing (rhythm), respiratory force

Kotosuffix that transforms the expression into an order; competition area

Koshi / Goshihip, PE ball

Kotepulse

Kunothing, empty, sky

Kubineck

Kuchimouth

KumiteFighting, combat, training where defense and attack techniques are applied

Kuncommandment, obligation

Kuraidegree of virtue (See Mental Level Themes)

Kuzishiimbalance

Kyofailure (See Mental Level Themes)

Kyodomovement

Kyushovital points

Kyubelt level below black

Maaidistance, correct distance

Momfront

Makiroll up

Makiwaratraditional straw target wrapped in a wooden fixed to the floor for training the strikes with the hands

Makototruth, sincerity, honesty

Mamoruobey, respect, keep, comply, defend

Mawarikomirotate (like a pestle)

Mawashicircular motion

Eueye

Meikyoclean mirror, soul mirror (See Mental Level Themes)

Me No Tsukekataeye fixation

Metsukehow to look and observe (See Mental Level Themes)

Michiway

MidaleKarate training method that consists of attacks

Right-handedright

Migi Waki-gamaeright side position

Mimiear

Mitsu-no-kokithree chances (See Mental Level Themes)

mokuso: literallyDo not think; attitude of concentration performed during the ceremonial of the beginning and end of the practice of Budo, meditation

Momothighs

Moroashi-garitwo leg sweep

Moroteboth hands

motorbike no ichistarting position

MuThe concept of total negation of everything that seems to exist (Maya), analogous to that of Shunya in Buddhist philosophy.

Munemextreme void in intent (See Mental Level Themes)

Munen Musofree from all ideas and thoughts

Mushinstate of integration between mind and body in which the mind is free from illusions (unnecessary thoughts)

Mussôextreme emptiness in thought (See Mental Level Themes)

Nanandanseventh (7th)

Nidansecond (2nd)

Nage Wazaprojection techniques

catcat

Japansecond / double

Nijushiho24 steps

Nobashiextension, stretching action

Nodethroat

Nokachivictory

Nukiteattack with the fingertips

Thegreat

Hellostrike with the same hand as the leg that is in front

Omonzururespect, have great regard in, appreciate, esteem, venerate. honor
お尻
Oshiributtocks

OkuriSlide

Osaeimmobilization

Otagai-ni-reimutual greeting

Otoshitop down movement

PinanSee Heian

Randorifree combat

Kinggreet greeting

Reigietiquette, courtesy, civility, good manners, respect

Renzoku Wazacontinuous techniques

Riexpansion (See Mental Level Themes)

Ritsu-reistanding greeting

Ryoboth

Ryustyle, school

Sabakidodge

Saitrident-shaped weapon originating in Okinawa

SamuraiJapanese warrior faithful to codes of honor and conduct

Sambon-kumitecombat in three attacks

San-satsuhostrategy (See Mental Level Themes)

Sanbonthird / triple

Sandanthird (3rd)

Sasaesustain, bear

SatoriPerfection. Opening of 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 full identity with oneself and the universe.

Seitranquility, inactivity

Seishinspirit, soul, will, intention, mindset

Seizacorrect way to sit, sit in the kneeling position

Notake the initiative before

Without fathermost senior student

Senakaback

Sen-no-senanticipation
先生
Senseiteacher; teacher

Sensei-ni-reigreeting to the teacher

Sensei-ni-tashi-reigreeting towards the teacher

Shihanhigh grade teacher

Shihofour directions

Shikkowalk in kneeling position

Shimspirit

Shimozawest wall of the dojo, opposite the kamiza, where the students sit

Shimozekinorth wall of the Dojo, where non-practicing assistants can stay

Shirocompetitor in white, still used in FPKI and CBKI competitions

Shi-shinimprisonment (See Mental Level Themes)

Shissuiclean water (See Mental Level Themes)

Shizen Kumitenatural kumite

Shizentainatural position – body remains relaxed more alert, standing

Shinzouheart

Shoindoor, small, private

Shobu-Zuyosasnatch victory from the jaws of defeat

Shodanfirst (1st)

Shomenfacing

Shomen-ni-kingsalute to the main wall of the Dojo

Shoteiblow with the palm of the hand

Shudefense (See Mental Level Themes)

Shutoopen hand strike using the side of the hand of the little finger

Sochinunshakable spirit

Sokutofoot saber, little finger side

Sonobastopped

Sotooutside

Sun-Domeinterruption of a technique, stop a technique

SutemiAbandonment of the body, techniques in which the performer lets himself fall

TaiBody, the same, the same as “karada”, alertness

Tai-No Senevaluation of the subsequent initiative

Tai Sabakidodge

Tachikataposition, posture

Tatevertical

Tehand

TekkiIron Knight. Fighting aside. Ride a horse

Wristpulse

byemiddle zone

To:far away

Tobijumping blow

Tokuistronger

Tokui-Wazastrongest technique

i-took-youcombat techniques originating from the island of Tomari (Okinawa)

takecircular

Toriwhat attacks, what executes

Tsukidirect hit, punch

Tsukkomionslaught

Tsutomuruto strive, to strive, to try hard

Uchiindirect blow inside

Udearm, forearm

Ukedefense, block

Ukemifall winding

oneparting the clouds

Uramovement performed by rotating; the opponent's back

Ushiroback, back, back

WaPeace, harmony.

WankanKing's crown

Wazatechnique

Waza O Hodokosu Kokipsychological moment to execute a technique

Wakibarachest side

Yakosokucombined, without resistance

Yameto stop

Enjoyfeed, sustain, maintain, create

Yasumeorder to relax

Yoprepare, waiting position, ready to work, attention order

Yori-ashifoot slips (e.g. a kizame-zuki lunge)

Yokoside

Yonbonroom / quadruple

Yondanfourth (4th)

This word remains unmodified.vigor, courage

Yubifingers
油断者Yudanshagraduate practitioner; black belt (any degree)
斬新Zanshinmental/spiritual reserve state, warrior spirit, concentrated
座礼Za-reiseiza greeting, salutation in seiza
前方Zenpotowards the front
Zenforward, Japanese discipline, a current of Buddhism

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