Karate Terminology
Karate Terms
Etiquette
| Command | Pronunciation | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Seiza | Say-Zar | Kneeing |
| Sensei Ni Rei | Sen-Say-Nee-Ray | Bow to Instructor |
| Otagai Ni Rei | Ott-Toe-Guy-Nee-Ray | Bow to Dojo and all assembled |
| Kritsu | Kiritz | Stand to Attention |
Basic Techniques
| Command | Pronunciation | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Yohi | Yoy | Ready Stance |
| Hidari Gamae | Hid-Ar-Ee-Gam-I | Junzuki Stance |
| Hidari Hanmi Gamae | Hamee | Fighting Stance |
| Mawatte | Ma-Watt-Ay | Turn |
| Hidari Shizentai | Shee-zen-ti | left Natural Stance |
| Kiai | Kee-eye | Shout |
| Yame | Yam-Ay | Relax to ready stance or Stop |
| Naore | Noray | Adopt Attention stance |
| Hadjime | Hajimay | Start |
| Kyukei | Q.K | Rest after Bow |
| Sonobade Ippon Toru | Sonno-barde Ippon-Toru | Change to Gyakuzuki Stance |
Targets on the body
| Command | Position |
|---|---|
| Jodan | Head |
| Chudan | Solar Plexus |
| Gedan | Low |
TE - Kind of hand
| Command | Position |
|---|---|
| Seiken | Fore fist |
| Uraken | Back fist |
| Tettsui | Bottom Fist |
| Ippon Ken | One Knuckle Fist |
| Nakadaka Ippon Ken | Middle Finger One Knuckle Fist |
| Haito | Ridge Hand |
| Shuto | Knife Hand |
| Nihon Nukite | Two Finger Spear Hand |
| Ippon Nukite | One Finger Spear Hand |
| Yohon Nukite | Spear Hand |
| Teisho | Palm Hand |
| Koko | Tiger Mouth Hand |
| Ude | Forearm |
| Empi | Elbow |
ASHI - Kind of Foot
| Command | Position |
|---|---|
| Hiza | Knee |
| Sokuto | Foot Edge |
| Kakato | Foot Heel |
| Johsokutei | Ball of Foot |
SHIHEI - Form
| Command | Position |
|---|---|
| Heisoku Dachi | Informal Attention Stance |
| Shiko Dachi | Open Leg Stance |
| Kiba Dachi | Straddle Leg Stance |
| Neko Ashi Dachi | Cat Stance |
UKE - Rising Block
| Command | Position |
|---|---|
| Jodan Uke | Forearm block (up) |
| Shuto Uke | Knife Hand Block |
| Gedan Barai | Downward Block |
| Morote Uke | Augmented Forearm Block |
TSUKI-WAZA - Punching
| Command | Position |
|---|---|
| Jun Zuki | Lunge Punch |
| Gyaku Zuki | Reverse Punch |
| Morote Zuki | Double Fist Punch |
| Furi Zuki | Swing Punch |
UCHI-WAZA - Striking
| Command | Position |
|---|---|
| Tettsui Uchi | Bottom Fist Strike |
| Shuto Uchi | Knife Hand Strike |
| Haito Uchi | Ridge Hand Strike |
| Teisho Uchi | Palm Heel Strike |
| Empi Uchi | Elbow Strike |
KERI-WAZA - Kicking<
| Command | Position |
|---|---|
| Mae-Geri | Front Kick |
| Mae-Geri-Keage | Front Snap Kick |
| Mawashi-Geri | Roundhouse Kick |
| Nidan-Geri | Flying Front Kick |
| Hiza-Geri | Knee Kick |
| Yoko-Geri | Side Kick |
| Sokuto | Foot Edge Kick |
| Fumikomi | Stamping Kick |
| Sokuto Fumikomi | Foot Edge Stamping Kick |
| Ushiro Geri | Back Kick |
Misc
| Command | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Zenshinshite | Step Forward with the Back foot |
| Surikomi | Step with the Back foot followed by Step or Kick with Front Kick |
| atemi | a punch |
| do | Way |
| dojo | training hall |
| gi | uniform worn when training |
| kata | prearranged series of movements |
| ki | energy, living power, spirit |
| kumite | sparring |
| jutsu | art |
| randori | free taking, multiple attackers, form practice one-on-one |
| sensei | teacher |