Karate Terminology (η©Ίζη¨θͺ)
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 |
---|---|---|
DΕjΕ | Training hall | |
Sensei | Teacher/Instructor | |
Senpai | Senior student | |
KΕhai | Junior student | |
Rei | Bow | |
Osu | A sign of respect and affirmation | |
Hajime | Begin/Start | |
Yame | Stop | |
Kamaete | Get into position/ready | |
Mawatte | Turn around | |
MokusΕ | Meditation | |
Naore | Return to ready position | |
Yasume | Rest/At ease | |
ShΕmen ni Rei | Bow to the front | |
Sensei ni Rei | Bow to the teacher | |
Otagai ni Rei | Bow to each other | |
JΕdan | Upper level (face area) | |
ChΕ«dan | Middle level (stomach area) | |
Gedan | Lower level (lower body) | |
Migi | Right | |
Hidari | Left | |
Mae | Front | |
Ushiro | Back / Rear | |
Yoko | Side | |
Zenkutsu-dachi | Front Stance | |
KΕkutsu-dachi | Back Stance | |
Kiba-dachi | Horse Stance | |
Nekoashi-dachi | Cat Stance | |
FudΕ-dachi | Immovable Stance | |
Sanchin-dachi | Hourglass Stance | |
Shiko-dachi | Sumo Stance | |
Heisoku-dachi | Feet Together Stance | |
Musubi-dachi | Formal Attention Stance | |
HeikΕ-dachi | Parallel Stance | |
Hangetsu-dachi | Half-Moon Stance | |
JΕdan Age Uke | Upper Rising Block | |
Soto Uke | Outside Block | |
Uchi Uke | Inside Block | |
Gedan Barai | Lower Sweeping Block | |
ShutΕ Uke | Knife Hand Block | |
Morote Uke | Augmented Block | |
JΕ«ji Uke | X-Block | |
Haishu Uke | Back Hand Block | |
Osae Uke | Pressing Block | |
Kakiwake Uke | Wedge Block | |
Seiken-zuki | Forefist Punch | |
Gyaku-zuki | Reverse Punch | |
Oi-zuki | Lunge Punch | |
Kizami-zuki | Jab Punch | |
Ura-zuki | Uppercut Punch | |
Tate-zuki | Vertical Fist Punch | |
Kagi-zuki | Hook Punch | |
Yama-zuki | Mountain Punch (U-Punch) | |
Uraken Uchi | Back Fist Strike | |
Tettsui Uchi | Hammer Fist Strike | |
Enpi Uchi | Elbow Strike | |
ShutΕ Uchi | Knife Hand Strike | |
HaitΕ Uchi | Ridge Hand Strike | |
TeishΕ Uchi | Palm Heel Strike | |
Nukite | Spear Hand | |
Mae Geri | Front Kick | |
Mawashi Geri | Roundhouse Kick | |
Yoko Geri | Side Kick | |
Ushiro Geri | Back Kick | |
Hiza Geri | Knee Kick | |
Mikazuki Geri | Crescent Kick | |
Tobi Geri | Jumping Kick | |
Nidan Geri | Double Jump Kick | |
Ashi Barai | Foot Sweep | |
Kakato Geri | Heel Kick / Axe Kick | |
Kin Geri | Groin Kick | |
Ushiro Mawashi Geri | Reverse Roundhouse Kick | |
Kata | Form or pattern of movements | |
Kumite | Sparring | |
Kihon | Basics/Fundamentals | |
Bunkai | Analysis/application of kata | |
Ippon Kumite | One-step sparring | |
JiyΕ« Kumite | Free sparring | |
Zanshin | Remaining mind/awareness | |
Kiai | A shout or yell to focus energy | |
Kime | Focus/Decisive blow | |
Maai | Distancing | |
Tai Sabaki | Body movement/evasion | |
Kuzushi | Unbalancing the opponent | |
Mushin | Mind of no mind | |
FudΕshin | Immovable mind | |
DΕgi/Gi | Karate uniform | |
Obi | Belt | |
KyΕ« | Rank (for colored belts) | |
Dan | Rank (for black belts) | |
YΕ«dansha | Black belt holder | |
Makiwara | Striking post | |
Shinpan | Referee | |
Aka | Red (competitor) | |
Shiro | White (competitor) | |
Ippon | One full point (victory) | |
Waza-ari | Half point | |
YΕ«kΕ | Effective point (less than waza-ari) | |
Hantei | Judgement/Decision | |
Kachi | Victory | |
Make | Defeat | |
Hikiwake | Draw | |
Hansoku | Foul/Disqualification | |
JΕgai | Out of bounds | |
Ichi | One | |
Ni | Two | |
San | Three | |
Shi/Yon | Four | |
Go | Five | |
Roku | Six | |
Shichi/Nana | Seven | |
Hachi | Eight | |
KyΕ«/Ku | Nine | |
JΕ« | Ten |
Conversational Japanese (ζ₯εΈΈδΌθ©±)
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 |
---|---|---|
OhayΕ gozaimasu | Good morning (formal) | |
OhayΕ | Good morning (informal) | |
Konnichiwa | Hello/Good afternoon | |
Konbanwa | Good evening | |
SayΕnara | Goodbye (formal) | |
JΔ ne / Mata ne | See you/Bye (informal) | |
Oyasuminasai | Good night | |
Ittekimasu | I'm leaving (and coming back) | |
Itterasshai | Take care (response to ittekimasu) | |
Tadaima | I'm home | |
Okaerinasai | Welcome home | |
ArigatΕ gozaimasu | Thank you (formal) | |
ArigatΕ | Thanks (informal) | |
DΕmo arigatΕ | Thanks a lot | |
DΕ itashimashite | You're welcome | |
Sumimasen | Excuse me/I'm sorry | |
Gomen nasai | I'm sorry (more personal) | |
Onegai shimasu | Please | |
DΕzo | Here you are/Go ahead | |
Hajimemashite | Nice to meet you | |
DΕzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu | Pleased to make your acquaintance | |
O-genki desu ka? | How are you? | |
Genki desu | I'm fine | |
O-namae wa nan desu ka? | What is your name? | |
Watashi no namae wa ... desu | My name is... | |
... kara kimashita | I am from... | |
Doko ni sunde imasu ka? | Where do you live? | |
Nansai desu ka? | How old are you? | |
... sai desu | I am ... years old | |
Ii tenki desu ne | The weather is nice, isn't it? | |
Atsui desu ne | It's hot, isn't it? | |
Samui desu ne | It's cold, isn't it? | |
Hai | Yes | |
Iie | No | |
Wakarimasu | I understand | |
Wakarimasen | I don't understand | |
Nihongo ga hanasemasen | I don't speak Japanese | |
Eigo o hanasemasu ka? | Do you speak English? | |
MΕ ichido onegai shimasu | Once more, please | |
Yukkuri hanashite kudasai | Please 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 kudasai | This one, please | |
MenyΕ« o onegai shimasu | May I have the menu, please? | |
O-kaikei o onegai shimasu | Check, please | |
Itadakimasu | Thank you for the meal (before) | |
GochisΕsama deshita | Thank you for the meal (after) | |
Oishii desu | It's delicious | |
Kanpai! | Cheers! | |
Onaka ga sukimashita | I'm hungry | |
Nodo ga kawakimashita | I'm thirsty | |
O-mizu o kudasai | Water, please | |
Tasukete! | Help! | |
DaijΕbu desu ka? | Are you okay? | |
DaijΕbu desu | I'm okay | |
ByΕin wa doko desu ka? | Where is the hospital? | |
Guai ga warui desu | I feel sick | |
Kore o misete kudasai | Please show me this | |
Shichaku dekimasu ka? | Can I try this on? | |
KΔdo de haraemasu ka? | Can I pay by card? | |
Fukuro o onegai shimasu | A bag, please | |
Ganbatte kudasai | Do your best/Good luck | |
OmedetΕ gozaimasu | Congratulations | |
Otsukaresama deshita | Thank you for your hard work | |
Sugoi desu ne | That's amazing, isn't it? | |
HontΕ ni? | Really? | |
SΕ desu ka | I see/Is that so? | |
Zannen desu | That's a shame/pity | |
Mochiron | Of course | |
Chotto matte kudasai | Please wait a moment | |
Ki o tsukete | Take care |