Karate
Terminology
Below are some of the
terms used within the karate class. It is by no means exhaustive, and wherever
possible, phonetic pronounciation is included.
Japanese Phonetic Meaning
Sensei Sen-say Teacher
Dojo Doe-Joe Training Hall
Sempai Senior
(in rank)
Kohai Junior
(in rank)
Techniques (Waza)
Zuki As in
“Suzuki” Punching
Technique
Geri Kicking
Technique
Uke Ookee Blocking Technique
Uchi Oochee Striking Technique
Oi - Zuki Stepping
Punch
Choku - Zuki Choke - Oo- Zuki Standing / Straight Punch
Gyaku - Zuki Gyakoo- Zuki Reverse Hand Punch
Kazame - Zuki Key- Zamee- Zuki Lead Hand Punch
Mae - Geri My- Geri Front Kick ( normally a snap
kick )
Mawashi - Geri Ma-Wash-Ee-Geri Roundhouse ( Turning) Kick
Yoko- Geri Yoko-Geri Side Kick-
- Kekome Ke-Comb-Ee Thrust Kick
- Keage Key-Ah-Gee Snap Kick
Ushiro - Geri Oo-Shee-Row Back Kick
Age - Uke Ah-Gee-Ookee Rising Block
Soto-Uke Sow-Tow-Oookee Outside Block
Uchi-Uke Oo-Chee-Ookee Inside Block
Gedan Barai Gee-Dan Ber-Aye Downward Sweeping Block
Shutu Uke Shoo-Two Oo-Key Knife hand block
Stances
Heisoku-Dachi Hay-Soo-Koo Da-Chee Feet together stance
Musubu-Dachi Moo-Soo-Boo Informal attention stance (Feet at
90
degrees)
Zenkutsu-Dachi Zen-Koot-Sue Front stance
Kiba-Dachi Key-Ba Side or Straddle stance
Kokustu-Dachi Ko-Koot-Sue Back Stance
Levels
Jodan Joe-Dan Face
Chudan Chew-Dan Chest
Gedan Gay-Dan Lower Stomach / Groin
Directions
Mae My Forwards
Ushiro Oo-She-Row Backwards
Migi Me-Gee Right
Hidari He-Da-Ree Left
Numbers
Ichi Ee-Chee One
Ni Knee Two
San San Three
Shi She Four
Go Go Five
Roco Row-Co Six
Shichi Sheech Seven
Hatchi Hat-Chee Eight
Ku Koo Nine
Ju Jew Ten
Dojo Commands
Sensei Nei Rei Bow
to the teacher (at start of class; to
be
announced by the top of the line )
Shomen Nei Rei Bow
(announced by the Sensei)
Seiza Kneel
Down
Mokuso Close
the eyes (lit. Meditation)
Yoi Prepare
- get ready
Yamae Stop
Rei Bow
Kamae / Shiai Make guard position
Kamae-Te Hands
Ready (normally said after a
specified
technique eg Gedan-Barai
Kamae
Te!)