Karate Terminology
Glossary of Karate terminology used by Tsutahashi Karate Club as part of the KUGB
This page contains a brief glossary of some of the more commonly used Japanese terminology Tsutahashi Karate Club karateka (students) will need on their way to gaining Black Belt under the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB).
The glossary includes the Japanese words / phrases and their English translation which will be used during training sessions and gradings. Tsutahashi Karate Club students should familiarise themselves with these terms alongside the KUGB Grading Syllabus:
Tsutahashi Karate Club instructors (Sensei) will use these terms often, helping you to understand their meanings and pronunciations. Any questions should be discussed with your instructor.
General Terms |
Dachi: Stances |
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Japanese |
Translation |
Japanese |
Translation |
| Dojo | Training Hall | Heiko dachi | Natural stance |
| Dojo Kun | Dojo code | Heisoku dachi | Feet together stance |
| Sensei | Instructor | Musubi dachi | Informal stance |
| Seiza | Kneel | Zenkutsu dachi | Front stance |
| Rei | Bow | Kiba dachi | Straddle stance |
| Yoi | Ready | Shiko dachi | Open leg/Sumo stance |
| Migi | Right | Kokutsu dachi | Back stance |
| Hidari | Left |
|
|
| Kamae-te | Move to ready position | ||
| Hajime | Start/Begin | Japanese | Translation |
| Mawatte | Turn | Gedan Barai | Downward block |
| Yame | Finish/Stop | Age Uke | Rising block |
| Gi | Karate suit | Soto Uke | Outside block |
| Obi | Belt | Uchi Uke | Inside block |
| Kime | Focus | Shuto uke | Knife hand block |
| Kiai | Martial shout | Tate Shuto uke | Vertical knife hand block |
| Kihon | Basic Techniques | Nagashi uke | Sweeping block |
| Kata | Formal exercises | Haishu uke | Back hand block |
| Kumite | Sparring | Empi uke | Elbow block |
| Zanshin | Spirit/Martial state of mind/awareness | Juji uke | X block |
| Jodan | Head | Morote uke | Augmented block |
| Chudan | Middle body | Kakewake uke | Wedge block |
| Gedan | Lower body |
Uchi: Strikes |
|
| Oss | Respectful acknowledgement or understanding of a command | Age empi uchi | Rising elbow strike |
Tsuki - Punches |
Yoko empi uchi | Side elbow strike | |
| Choku/Kara tsuki | Straight punch | Mawashi empi uchi | Round elbow strike |
| Oi tsuki | Stepping punch | Ushiro empi uchi | Reverse elbow strike |
| Kizami tsuki | Front hand punch | Tate empi uchi | Downward elbow strike |
| Gyakyu tsuki | Reverse punch | Shuto uchi | Knife hand strike |
| Kagi tsuki | Hook punch | Uraken uchi | Back fist strike |
| Ren tsuki | Two punch combination | Tetsui uchi | Hammer fist strike |
| Sanbon tsuki | Three punch combination | Nukite | Spear hand thrust |
|
Teisho uchi | Palm heel strike | |
| Mae geri | Front kick | Haito uchi | Ridge hand strike |
| Yoko geri keage | Side snap kick |
|
|
| Yoko geri kekomi | Side thrust kick | Sanbon Kumite | Three step sparring |
| Mawashi geri | Roundhouse kick | Gohon Kumite | Five step sparring |
| Ushiro geri | Back kick | Kihon Ippon Kumite | Basic one-step sparring |
| Hiza geri | Knee kick | Jiyu Ippon Kumite | Semi-free style sparring |
| Ren geri | Kicking combinations stepping between kicks | Kaishi Ippon Kumite | Reaction sparring |
| Nidan geri | Two kicks with same leg without step between | Jiyu Kumite | Free style sparring |
