Japanese for Karate & Conversation πŸ₯‹πŸ—£οΈ

Karate Terminology (空手用θͺž)

Here are essential Japanese terms used in Karate. Click the "Speak" button to hear the pronunciation. Understanding these will help you in your journey to master the art.

Romaji English Speak
DōjōTraining hall
SenseiTeacher/Instructor
SenpaiSenior student
KōhaiJunior student
ReiBow
OsuA sign of respect and affirmation
HajimeBegin/Start
YameStop
KamaeteGet into position/ready
MawatteTurn around
MokusōMeditation
NaoreReturn to ready position
YasumeRest/At ease
Shōmen ni ReiBow to the front
Sensei ni ReiBow to the teacher
Otagai ni ReiBow to each other
JōdanUpper level (face area)
ChΕ«danMiddle level (stomach area)
GedanLower level (lower body)
MigiRight
HidariLeft
MaeFront
UshiroBack / Rear
YokoSide
Zenkutsu-dachiFront Stance
Kōkutsu-dachiBack Stance
Kiba-dachiHorse Stance
Nekoashi-dachiCat Stance
Fudō-dachiImmovable Stance
Sanchin-dachiHourglass Stance
Shiko-dachiSumo Stance
Heisoku-dachiFeet Together Stance
Musubi-dachiFormal Attention Stance
Heikō-dachiParallel Stance
Hangetsu-dachiHalf-Moon Stance
Jōdan Age UkeUpper Rising Block
Soto UkeOutside Block
Uchi UkeInside Block
Gedan BaraiLower Sweeping Block
Shutō UkeKnife Hand Block
Morote UkeAugmented Block
JΕ«ji UkeX-Block
Haishu UkeBack Hand Block
Osae UkePressing Block
Kakiwake UkeWedge Block
Seiken-zukiForefist Punch
Gyaku-zukiReverse Punch
Oi-zukiLunge Punch
Kizami-zukiJab Punch
Ura-zukiUppercut Punch
Tate-zukiVertical Fist Punch
Kagi-zukiHook Punch
Yama-zukiMountain Punch (U-Punch)
Uraken UchiBack Fist Strike
Tettsui UchiHammer Fist Strike
Enpi UchiElbow Strike
Shutō UchiKnife Hand Strike
Haitō UchiRidge Hand Strike
Teishō UchiPalm Heel Strike
NukiteSpear Hand
Mae GeriFront Kick
Mawashi GeriRoundhouse Kick
Yoko GeriSide Kick
Ushiro GeriBack Kick
Hiza GeriKnee Kick
Mikazuki GeriCrescent Kick
Tobi GeriJumping Kick
Nidan GeriDouble Jump Kick
Ashi BaraiFoot Sweep
Kakato GeriHeel Kick / Axe Kick
Kin GeriGroin Kick
Ushiro Mawashi GeriReverse Roundhouse Kick
KataForm or pattern of movements
KumiteSparring
KihonBasics/Fundamentals
BunkaiAnalysis/application of kata
Ippon KumiteOne-step sparring
JiyΕ« KumiteFree sparring
ZanshinRemaining mind/awareness
KiaiA shout or yell to focus energy
KimeFocus/Decisive blow
MaaiDistancing
Tai SabakiBody movement/evasion
KuzushiUnbalancing the opponent
MushinMind of no mind
FudōshinImmovable mind
Dōgi/GiKarate uniform
ObiBelt
KyΕ«Rank (for colored belts)
DanRank (for black belts)
YΕ«danshaBlack belt holder
MakiwaraStriking post
ShinpanReferee
AkaRed (competitor)
ShiroWhite (competitor)
IpponOne full point (victory)
Waza-ariHalf point
YūkōEffective point (less than waza-ari)
HanteiJudgement/Decision
KachiVictory
MakeDefeat
HikiwakeDraw
HansokuFoul/Disqualification
JōgaiOut of bounds
IchiOne
NiTwo
SanThree
Shi/YonFour
GoFive
RokuSix
Shichi/NanaSeven
HachiEight
KyΕ«/KuNine
JΕ«Ten

Conversational Japanese (ζ—₯常会話)

Master these common Japanese phrases for everyday situations. Click the "Speak" button to hear the pronunciation. These phrases are a great starting point for anyone new to the language.

Romaji English Speak
Ohayō gozaimasuGood morning (formal)
OhayōGood morning (informal)
KonnichiwaHello/Good afternoon
KonbanwaGood evening
SayōnaraGoodbye (formal)
Jā ne / Mata neSee you/Bye (informal)
OyasuminasaiGood night
IttekimasuI'm leaving (and coming back)
ItterasshaiTake care (response to ittekimasu)
TadaimaI'm home
OkaerinasaiWelcome home
Arigatō gozaimasuThank you (formal)
ArigatōThanks (informal)
Dōmo arigatōThanks a lot
Dō itashimashiteYou're welcome
SumimasenExcuse me/I'm sorry
Gomen nasaiI'm sorry (more personal)
Onegai shimasuPlease
DōzoHere you are/Go ahead
HajimemashiteNice to meet you
Dōzo yoroshiku onegai shimasuPleased to make your acquaintance
O-genki desu ka?How are you?
Genki desuI'm fine
O-namae wa nan desu ka?What is your name?
Watashi no namae wa ... desuMy name is...
... kara kimashitaI am from...
Doko ni sunde imasu ka?Where do you live?
Nansai desu ka?How old are you?
... sai desuI am ... years old
Ii tenki desu neThe weather is nice, isn't it?
Atsui desu neIt's hot, isn't it?
Samui desu neIt's cold, isn't it?
HaiYes
IieNo
WakarimasuI understand
WakarimasenI don't understand
Nihongo ga hanasemasenI don't speak Japanese
Eigo o hanasemasu ka?Do you speak English?
Mō ichido onegai shimasuOnce more, please
Yukkuri hanashite kudasaiPlease speak slowly
Kore wa nan desu ka?What is this?
Sore wa ikura desu ka?How much is that?
Toire wa doko desu ka?Where is the bathroom?
Eki wa doko desu ka?Where is the station?
Kore o kudasaiThis one, please
MenyΕ« o onegai shimasuMay I have the menu, please?
O-kaikei o onegai shimasuCheck, please
ItadakimasuThank you for the meal (before)
Gochisōsama deshitaThank you for the meal (after)
Oishii desuIt's delicious
Kanpai!Cheers!
Onaka ga sukimashitaI'm hungry
Nodo ga kawakimashitaI'm thirsty
O-mizu o kudasaiWater, please
Tasukete!Help!
Daijōbu desu ka?Are you okay?
Daijōbu desuI'm okay
Byōin wa doko desu ka?Where is the hospital?
Guai ga warui desuI feel sick
Kore o misete kudasaiPlease show me this
Shichaku dekimasu ka?Can I try this on?
Kādo de haraemasu ka?Can I pay by card?
Fukuro o onegai shimasuA bag, please
Ganbatte kudasaiDo your best/Good luck
Omedetō gozaimasuCongratulations
Otsukaresama deshitaThank you for your hard work
Sugoi desu neThat's amazing, isn't it?
Hontō ni?Really?
Sō desu kaI see/Is that so?
Zannen desuThat's a shame/pity
MochironOf course
Chotto matte kudasaiPlease wait a moment
Ki o tsuketeTake care