Karate Terminology:

Our club instructor(s), Sensei, will use these terms often, helping you to understand their meanings and pronunciations. Any questions do not hesitate to ask.

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General Terms:

Japanese

Dojo

Sensei

Rei

Migi

Kamae-te

Mawatte

Gi

Kime

Kihon

Kumite

Jodan

Chudan

Gedan

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Translation

Training Hall

Instructor

Bow

Right

Move to Ready Position

Turn

Karate Suit

Focus

Basic Techniques

Sparring

Head

Middle Body

Lower Body

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General Terms:

Japanese

Dojo Kun

Seiza

Yoi

Hidari

Hajime

Yame

Obi

Kiai

Kata

Zanshin

Oss

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Translation

Dojo Code

Kneel

Ready

Left

Start/Begin

Finish/Stop

Belt

Martial Shout

Formal Exercises

Martial State of Awareness

Respectful Greeting or Acknowledgment or understanding of a command

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Dachi - Stances:

Japanese

Heiko Dachi

Musubi Dachi

Kiba Dachi

Kokutsu Dachi

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Translation

Natural Stance

Informal Stance

Straddle Stance

Back Stance

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Dachi - Stances:

Japanese

Heisoku Dachi

Zenkutsu Dachi

Shiko Dachi

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Translation

Feet Together Stance

Front Stance

Open Leg/Sumo Stance

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Uke - Blocks

Japanese

Gedan Barai

Soto Uke

Shuto Uke

Nagashi Uke

Empi Uke

Morote Uke

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Translation

Downward Block

Outside Block

Knife Hand Block

Sweeping Block

Elbow Block

Augmented Block

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Uke - Blocks

Japanese

Age Uke

Uchi Uke

Tate Shuto Uke

Haishu Uke

Juji Uke

Kakewake Uke

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Translation

Rising Block

Inside Block

Vertical Knife Hand Block

Back Hand Block

X Block

Wedge Block

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Tsuki - Punches

Japanese

Kara/Choku Tsuki

Kizami Tsuki

Kagi Tsuki

Sanbon Tsuki

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Translation

Straight Punch

Front Hand Punch

Hook Punch

Three Punch Combination

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Tsuki - Punches

Japanese

Oi Tsuki

Gyaku Tsuki

Ren Tsuki

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Translation

Stepping Punch

Reverse Punch

Two Punch Combination

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Uchi - Strikes

Japanese

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Translation

Age Empi Uchi

Mawashi Empi Uchi

Tate Empi Uchi

Uraken Uchi

Nukite

Haito Uchi

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Rising Elbow Strike

Round Elbow Strike

Downward Elbow Strike

Back Fist Strike

Spear Hand Thrust

Ridge Hand Strike

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Uchi - Strikes

Japanese

Yoko Empi Uchi

Ushiro Empi Uchi

Shuto Uchi

Tetsui Uchi

Teisho Uchi

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Translation

Side Elbow Strike

Reverse Elbow Strike

Knife Hand Strike

Hammer Fist Strike

Palm Heel Strike

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Geri - Kicks

Japanese

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Translation

Mae Geri

Yoko Geri Kekomi

Ushiro Geri

Ren Geri

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Front Kick

Side Thrust Kick

Back Kick

Kicking Combinations

Stepping Between Kicks

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Geri - Kicks

Japanese

Yoko Geri Keage

Mawashi Geri

Hiza Geri

Nidan Geri

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Translation

Side Snap Kick

Roundhouse Kick

Knee Kick

Two Kicks with Same Leg

without a Step Between

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Kumite - Sparring

Japanese

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Translation

Sanbon Kumite

Kihon Ippon Kumite

Kaishi Ippon Kumite

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Three Step Sparring

Basic One-Step Sparring

Reaction Sparring

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Kumite - Sparring

Japanese

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Translation

Gohon Kumite

Jiyu Ippon Kumite

Jiyu Kumite

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Five step sparring

Semi-free style sparring

Free style sparring

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