Spelling

Pronunciation

Meaning

Hajime

Hash-Emay

Begin

Yame

Ya-May

Stop

Junbi

June-Be

Ready

Maai

My

Distancing

Yoshi

Yo-She

Continue

Wazaari

Wa-Zar-Ee

Half points

Ippon

Ee-Pon

Full point

Torandai

Tor-Ran-Day

Not enough

Jogai

Jo-Guy

Running out of the ring

Aiuchi

Hi-Uchee

Clash

Chui

Chew-I

Warning

Hansoku

Han-Sock-Oo

Foul

Meinai

May-Ni

Could not see

Attate Iru

A-Taut-Ay E-Ru

Contact

Fukushin Shugo

Foo-Koo-Shin Shu-Go

Judges Conference

Hantai

Han-Tay

Decision

Aka No Kache

Aka-No-Kach-Ee

Red wins

Shiro No Kache

Shiro-No-Kach-Ee

White wins

Pronunciation Guide

A - as in father
I - as in ink
U - as in flute
E - as in bed
O - as in oatmeal

BUSHIDO

The Way of the warrior

CHINTO

Kata named after a Chinese sailor. Also a stance (see below).

CHUDAN

Middle or middle level. For example, a middle level punch is generally aimed at the solar plexus but can be anywhere below the shoulders and above the waist.

DACHI

From tachi meaning stance. See list of stances below.

DAN

One who has attained the Black belt ranking. Also known as yudansha.

DO

Way. Indicates a path to be followed in life as in Karatedo, the Way of the empty hand.

DOJO

Place for studying the Way.

EMPI

Elbow. Also known as hiji.

GAIWAN

Outside of the forearm. Used for blocking as in Sotouke.

GEDAN

Low or lower level. Generally means below the waist.

GERI

From keri meaning kick as in maegeri. See list of kicks below.

HAJIME

Begin

HIDARI

Left

HIJI

Elbow. Also known as empi.

HIKITE

Pulling hand. Action taken by the non-striking hand to add power to a technique. May also be used to block or pull an opponent off balance.

HITSUI

Knee. Also known as hiza.

IPPON

One or one step

JODAN

Upper or upper level. Generally indicates the area above the shoulders.

KAI

Organisation,or the place.

KAMAE

From gamae meaning posture.

KATA

Prearranged sequence of techniques making up the foundation of a particular style of karate.

KERI

Kick. See list of kicks below.

KI

This term does not translate easily. Ki is the same as the Chinese word chi which some believe is a bioelectric force that flows through the body along pathways calledmeridians in the same manner as the blood flows through the arteries and veins. Some believe it is your spirit or mental intention.

KIAI

Literally spirit harmony. This is the brief moment in executing waza that the body, mind and spirit are in perfect harmony often demonstrated by tensing the abdominal muscles forcing air over the vocal cords resulting in the karate shout.

KIHON

Basic or standard.

KIOTSUKE

Attention. Command to stand in the attention stance, musubi dachi.

KOHAI

Junior. One who is less senior to another. Opposite of sempai.

KOSHI

Pelvic carriage. The pelvis and surrounding structures. Indicates the hip area.

KUMITE

Fighting as in ippon kumite (one-step fighting) or jiyu kumite (free fighting).

KUSHANKU

Kata named after a Chinese government official.

KUZUSHI

The unbalancing of an opponent either physically (as in a foot sweep), mentally (as in stepping on an opponents foot before punching to distract him), or spiritually (as in a fierce kiai just before an opponent attacks to drain his fighting spirit).

KYU

Indicates a student who is not ranked as a black belt (dan). Also known as mudansha.

MAAI

Combative engagement distance. Distance between opponents.

MAE

Front

MATTE

Stop. Command to stop.

MAWATTE

Turn around. Command to turn around.

MIGI

Right

MOKUSO

Meditation. Command to meditate.

MUDANSHA

kyu ranks

MUSHIN

No mind. State of mind where there is no conscious thought.

NAIHANCHI

Kata whose name translated can mean fighting on the dikes between rice paddies or inside fighting.

NAIWAN

Inside of the forearm. Used for blocking as in Uchiuke.

NAOREI

Return to musubi dachi and rei.

NUKITE

Fingertip thrust strike as in ippon nukite (index finger thrust) or yonhan nukite (four finger thrust).

OBI

Belt. Used to indicate the rank of the wearer. Mudansha (kyu ranks) wear colored belts. Yudansha (dan ranks) wear black belts.

PINAN

Peace and tranquillity. Name of the group of 5 kata Pinan Shodan, Pinan Nidan, Pinan Sandan, Pinan Yondan, and Pinan Godan.

REI

Bow

RYU

Style or school of karate.

SEIKEN

Fist

SEIKEN ZUKI

Fist punch

SEIRETSU

Line up. Command to line up.

SEISAN

Literally thirteen. A kata practiced in Wado Kai.

SEIZA

Kneeling posture. Command to kneel.

SEMPAI

Senior. One who is senior to another. Opposite of kohai.

SENSEI

Literally one who has gone before. Refers to the teacher of a class. Also used as a title for one who has attained Sandan rank (third degree black belt).

TACHI

stance. See list of stances below.

TACHI REI

Standing bow.

TAE UKE

Position of the arms where one arm is across the chest, palm down and parallel to the ground and the other arm is pulled back beside the chest palm up.

TAISABAKI

Body movement or shifting. Method of moving the body to a more advantageous position for a counter attack. Used in conjunction with ashisabaki (foot movement) and koshisabaki (hip movement).

TATE

Vertical as in tate zuki (vertical fist punch).

TOBI

Jump or leap.

TORRE

Attacker

TSUKI

Thrust or punch. See below.

TSUKURI

Creating an opening in your defense to draw the opponent into attacking this weakness. This allows you to respond with a specific counterattack.

UKE

Receiver, defender or block. See list of blocking techniques below.

URA

Back or reverse.

USHIRO

Backwards.

WADO KAI/RYU

Way of Peace organisation /style or Way of Harmony organisation/style. Emblem is the Kanji character Wa (peace or harmony) surrounded by the wings of a dove (also a peace symbol).

WAZA

Technique. For example, keriwaza are kicking techniques

YAME

Stop. Command to return to ready position.

YOI

Prepare. Command to move to ready position.

YUDANSHA

Black belts

ZANSHIN

State of mind where one is fully aware and alert.

ZAREI

Kneeling bow

ZUKI

From tsuki meaning punch or thrust. See list of punches below.

CHINTODACHI

Chinto stance. The toes of both feet are on a line towards the opponent. Both feet are angled in roughly the same direction with the front foot turned in slightly more than the rear foot. Weight is even.

GYAKU NEKOASHIDACHI

Reverse cat stance. Feet are roughly in the same position as in Nekodachi but the rear heel is up while the front heel is down. The rear knee generally points inward. Weight is more on the front foot.

GYAKUZUKIDACHI

Reverse punch stance. Front foot is one foot length wider and one foot length shorter than Junzukidachi. Front foot points in slightly. Weightis more on the front foot.

GYAKUZUKI TSUKKOMIDACHI

Reverse lunge punch stance. Front foot heel is even with rear foot toes on a line perpendicular to the attack line. Both feet point slightly inward. Distance between feet is roughly two and one half shoulder widths. Body leans slightly forward. Weight is more on the front foot.

HANMI NO NEKOASHIDACHI

Half side-facing cat stance. Feet are in the same position as Mashomen No Nekoashidachi but the body is facing 45 degrees instead of facing the opponent. Weight is 2/3 on the rear foot.

HEIKODACHI

Parallel stance or ready stance. Feet are one foot length apart. Feet are pointed straight ahead and the weight is even.

HEISOKUDACHI

Closed foot stance. Feet point straight ahead and are together with the heels and toes touching. Weight is even.

HIDARISHIZENTAI

Left natural stance. Feet are roughly shoulder width apart with the left foot moved forward roughly one to two foot lengths. The left foot faces forward and the right foot faces 45 degrees to the right. The body also faces 45 degrees to the right. Weight is even.

JUNZUKIDACHI

Front punch stance. Distance between the feet is roughly two shoulder widths. Front foot points straight ahead and is one foot length wider than Musubidachi. Weight is more on the front foot.

JUNZUKI TSUKKOMIDACHI

Front lunge punch stance. Front foot points straight ahead. Rear foot points 90 degrees to the side with the heel on the same line as the inside of the front foot. Back leg is straight but not locked. Body is leaning and lined up with the rear leg. Distance between the feet is roughly two and one half shoulder widths. Weight is mostly on the front foot.

KOKUTSUDACHI

Back stance. Front foot is pointed straight ahead or slightly inward. Rear foot is pointed roughly 120 degrees from the front. Feet are roughly two shoulder widths apart with both heels on a line toward the opponent.The front leg is straight but not locked. The body is leaning, aligned with the front leg. Weight is more on the back foot.

KOSADACHI

Crossed stance. Front foot is pointed out 90 degrees. Rear foot is pointed straight ahead. The inside of the rear foot in on the same line as the front heel. Feet are roughly one and one half to two shoulder widths apart. Body faces forward. Weight is even.

MAHANMI NO NEKOASHIDACHI (NEKOASHIDACHI)

Full side facing cat stance. Front foot points towards the opponent. Rear foot faces roughly 120 degrees from the front. The front heel is slightly raised. Body faces 90 degrees sideways to the opponent. Feet are roughly two shoulder widths apart. Weight is 2/3 on the rear foot.

MASHOMEN NO NEKOASHIDACHI (NEKODACHI)

Full front facing cat stance. Front foot faces forwards. Rear foot faces out at 45 degrees. From Migishizentai or Hidarishizentai, raise the front heel slightly while settling 2/3 of the weight onto the rear foot. The body faces forward.

MIGISHIZENTAI

Right natural stance. Opposite of Hidarishizentai.

MUSUBIDACHI

Attention stance. Heels are together with the feet pointed out 45 degrees. Weight is even.

NAIHANCHIDACHI

Naihanchi stance or inside fighting stance. Feet are roughly one and one half to two shoulder widths apart and are pointed in slightly. Weight is even.

SAGIASHI DACHI

Heron/Crane stance. Stand on one leg with the toes of the other foot lightly touching the back of the opposite knee. Supporting leg is bent.

SHIKODACHI

Outer circular stance. Feet are roughly two shoulder widths apart and pointed out 45 degrees. Weight is even.

SHIZENTAI

Natural stance. Feet are shoulder width apart and are pointed out 45 degrees. Weight is even.

TATE SEISANDACHI

Vertical Seisan stance. Front foot toes and rear foot heel are on a line towards the opponent. Both feet are pointed in roughly the same direction with the front foot slightly more turned. Feet are roughly one and one half to two shoulder widths apart. Weight is even.

YOKO SEISANDACHI

Side Seisan stance. From Naihanchidachi, move one foot forward one foot length. Weight is even.

ZENKUTSUDACHI

Front stance, forward stance or fighting stance. From Heikodachi, one foot moves forward roughly one and one half shoulder widths. The front foot faces forward. The rear foot faces out 45 degrees. Weight is even or slightly more on the front foot.

GEDANUKE/GEDANBARAI

Low block or low parry made with the forearm. Fist starts palm up at the opposite shoulder and sweeps down and across the body, twisting on contact. Can also be made with shuto or shotei.

HAISHUUKE

Back hand block. Block made with the back of the hand moving from inside to outside.

HIJIUKE

Elbow block. Block made with the back or side of the elbow joint area.

JODANUKE

Upper block or high block made with the forearm. Fist starts palm up on the opposite shoulder and moves straight up, twisting on contact. Forearm ends at an angle with the fist higher than the elbow. Can also be made with shuto or shotei.

JUJIUKE

Cross block or X block made with both forearms. Can be made upwards or downwards.

KAKEUKE

Hook block made with the wrist bent towards the little finger side in a hook shape.

KOKENUKE

Block made with the back of the bent wrist. Can be made sideways or upwards.

MAWASHIUKE

Round block made with both open hands moving in a circle in the same direction.

NAGASHIUKE

Sweeping block or slip block. Any of the basic blocks (gedan, soto, jodan, haishu) may be made into a nagashi type block by changing the direction in which the block moves from perpendicular to angling back towards your body.

OSAEUKE

Press block made by softly pressing down with the palm or back of the open hand.

OTOSHIUKE

Dropping block made by throwing the arm down on top of the opponent's attack. Can be made with shuto, shotei, tettsui, or uraken. Usually accompanied by a dropping of the body weight to add power to the technique.

SHUTOUKE

Knife hand block made with the little finger die of the open hand or forearm. Can be made moving inwards, outwards, or downwards.

SOTOUKE

Outside block. Basic middle block made with the outside of the forearm moving from inside to outside. Can be made blocking jodan or chudan.

SUKUIUKE

Scooping block made with the forearm moving in the same direction of an attack sliding under it and lifting.

UCHIUKE

Inside block. Block made with the inside of the forearm left from outside to in Can be made jodan or chudan.

AWASEZUKI

Combined punch made with one hand punching Urazuki and the other punching Seizuki.

EMPI

Elbow strike made upwards, downwards, sideways, inwards, outwards, forwards, or backwards.

GYAKUZUKI

Reverse hand punch made with Seizuki.

GYAKUZUKI TSUKKOMI

Reverse hand lunge punch.

HAISHU

Back hand strike.

HAITO

Ridge hand strike or inner knife hand strike made with the side of the first knuckle of the index finger.

HASAMIUCHI

Scissor strike made with both hands striking Tettsui inwards.

HEIKOZUKI

Parallel punch made with both fists punching side by side.

HIRAKEN

Flat fist punch made with the second knuckles of all four fingers

IPPON KEN

One finger fist punch made with the second knuckle of the index finger.

IPPON NUKITE

One finger spear hand thrust made with the tip of the extended index finger.

JUNZUKI

Front hand punch made with Seizuki.

JUNZUKI TSUKKOMI

Front hand lunge punch.

KAGIZUKI

Hook punch made with the forearm parallel to your chest.

KOKENUCHI

Bent wrist strike made with the back of the bent wrist.

MAWASHIZUKI

Round punch made by swinging the arm.

NAGASHIZUKI

Punch made by moving forward and twisting the body out of the way of an oncoming attack. The body moves parallel to and just off of the attack line

NAKADAKA IPPON KEN

One finger fist punch made with the second knuckle of the middle finger.

OYAYUBI IPPON KEN

One finger fist strike made with the second knuckle of the thumb.

SEIZUKI

Normal punch made with the first knuckles of the index and middle fingers.

SHOTEI

Palm heel strike.

SHUTO

Knife hand strike.

TATEZUKI

Vertical fist punch made with the little finger side of the fist towards the ground.

TETTSUI

Hammer fist strike made with the little finger side of the closed fist.

TOBIKOMIZUKI

Jumping lunge punch. Lunge punch made by jumping the body forward into the technique.

URAKEN

Back fist strike made with the back of the first knuckles of the index and middle fingers.

URAZUKI

Inverted punch made with the back of the fist pointed towards the ground.

YAMAZUKI

Mountain punch. Similar to Awasezuki but made with the arms bent and the body leaning forward.

YONHAN NUKITE

Four finger spear hand thrust made with the tips of the four extended fingers.

ASHIBARAI

Foot sweep made by sweeping the opponent's foot out from under him.

FUMIKOMIGERI

Stamping kick made downwards with the side or heel of the foot.

HIZAGERI

Forward knee strike.

HIZAMAWASHIGERI

Roundhouse knee strike.

KINGERI

Groin kick made with the top of the foot.

MAEGERI

Front kick made with the ball, heel, or toe tips of the foot.

MAETOBIGERI

Flying or jumping front kick.

MAWASHIGERI

Roundhouse kick made with the ball or instep of the foot.

MIKAZUKIGERI

Crescent kick made from the outside to the inside using the sole of the foot.

NAMIGAESHI

Returning wave kick made by bringing the foot upwards and inwards striking with the sole or side of the foot as found in Naihanchi kata.

SOTO MIKAZUKIGERI

Outside crescent kick using the side of the foot moving from inside to outside.

USHIROGERI

Back kick made backwards using the heel of the foot.

USHIROKINGERI

Backward groin kick made by bringing the heel upward.

YOKOGERI

Side kick made to the side using the side of the foot.