Common Japanese Terms
Numbers
| Japanese Numeral | Japanese Numeral | ||
| ichi | 1 | roku | 6 |
| ni | 2 | shichi | 7 |
| san | 3 | hachi | 8 |
| shi | 4 | ku | 9 |
| go | 5 | juu | 10 |
Stances
| Japanese Term | English Translation |
|---|---|
| zenkutsu-dachi | front stance |
| kohkutsu-dachi | back stance |
| kiba-dachi | horse stance |
| neko-ashi-dachi | cat stance |
| fudoh-dachi | rooted stance |
Hand Attacks
| Japanese Term | English Translation |
|---|---|
| tsuki | punch |
| oi-zuki | stepping punch |
| choku-zuki | punch |
| gyaku-zuki | reverse punch |
| kizami-zuki | jab punch |
| nukite-uchi | spear hand |
| uraken-uchi | back fist |
| enpi-uchi | elbow strike |
Leg Attacks
| Japanese Term | English Translation |
|---|---|
| keri | kick |
| mae-geri | front kick |
| mawashi-geri | roundhouse kick |
| yoko kekomi (geri) | side snap kick |
| yoko keage (geri) | spear hand |
| ushiro-geri | back kick |
| ashi barai | foot sweep |
Blocks
| Japanese Term | English Translation |
|---|---|
| age-uke | upper block |
| soto-uke | outside block |
| uchi-uke | inside block |
| gedan-barai | down block |
| shuto-uke | knife hand block |
| juuji-uke | x-block |
| morote | foot sweep |
Kumite
| Japanese Term | English Translation |
|---|---|
| kumite | sparring |
| (kihon) gohon kumite | five-step sparring |
| (kihon) sanbon kumite | three-step sparring |
| (kihon) ippon kumite | one-step sparring |
| jiyuu kumite | free sparring |
| shiai kumite | tournament sparring |
Other Words
| Japanese Term | English Translation |
|---|---|
| joh-dan | upper level / face |
| chuudan | middle level / solar plexus |
| gedan | low level / groin |
| kihon | basic(s) / fundamentals |
| kiai | yell |
| kime | decision / focus |
| rei | bow |
| yoh-i | “get ready” |
| yame | stop / lit. “the finish” |
| yasume | at ease / relax |
| hajime | begin |
| mokusoh | meditate |
| dojo | karate school |
| seiza | sit down |
| seiretsu | line up |