Japanese Terminology
COUNTING IN JAPANESE
Ichi - one
Ni - two
San - three
Shi, Yon - four
Go - five
Roku - six
Shichi, Nana - seven
Hachi - eight
Ku, Kyuu - nine
Juu - ten
STANCES
Dachi - Stance
Fudou-dachi - Immovable stance.
Gankaku-dachi - Crane stance.
Hachiji-dachi - Open legged stance.
Hangetsu-dachi - Half moon stance.
Heisoku-dachi - Parallel stance (heels and toes together).
Heiko-dachi - Parallel leg stance.
Kiba-dachi - Horse stance, also know as straddle-leg stance or side stance.
Koukutsu-dachi - Back stance.
Kousa-dachi - X stance/Crossed stance.
Musubi-dachi - Attention stance (heels together, toes turned out 45-degrees).
Neko-ashi-dachi - Cat stance.
Reinoji-dachi - L stance.
Sanchin-dachi - Hourglass stance, also know as three-point stance.
Shiko-dachi - Square stance, sumo stance.
Shizentai - Natural stance.
Teiji-dachi - T stance.
Uchi-hachi-dachi - Inverted open leg stance.
Zenkutsu-dachi - Front stance.
PUNCHES
Zuki/Tsuki - Punch.
Age Zuki - Rising punch.
Awase Zuki - U-punch.
Choku Zuki - Straight punch.
Dan Zuki - Double punch.
Gyaku Zuki - Reverse punch.
Hasami Zuki - Scissor punch.
Heiko Zuki - Parallel punch.
Kagi Zuki - Hook punch.
Kizami Zuki - Jab Punch.
Morote Zuki - Augmented punch.
Oi Zuki - Lunge punch, chasing punch.
Ren Zuki - Alternate punch.
Tate Zuki - Vertical punch.
Ura Zuki - Close punch.
Yama Zuki - Mountain punch.
KICKS
Geri/Keri - Kick.
Barai - Sweep.
Ashi Barai - Foot/Leg sweep.
Fumikomi Geri - Stamping kick.
Kakato Geri - Ax kick.
Keage - Snap (kick).
Kekomi - Thrust (kick).
Mae Geri - Front kick.
Mawashi Geri - Roundhouse kick.
Mikazuki Geri - Crescent moon kick.
Nami Ashi - Returning wave kick.
Nidan Geri - Double kick.
Tobi Geri - Jump kick.
Ushiro Geri - Back kick.
Yoko Geri - Side kick.
BLOCKS
Uke - Block (literally "To receive").
Age Uke - Rising block.
Awase Uke - Combined block.
Gedan Barai - Downward block, low sweeping block.
Haishu Uke - Backhand block (a block using the back of the hand).
Haitou Uke - Ridge-hand block.
Juuji Uke - X-block.
Kaisho Uke - Open hand block.
Kakiwake Uke - Wedge block.
Keito Uke - Chicken head block.
Kosa Uke - Crossed block.
Mikazuki Geri Uke - Crescent kick block.
Morote Uke - Augmented block.
Osae Uke - Pressing block.
Shutou Uke - Knife hand block.
Soto Uke - Outside block.
Tate Shuto Uke - Vertical knife hand block.
Tettsui Uke - Hammer fist block.
Uchi Uke - Inside block.
Yama Uke - Mountain block.
MISCELLANEOUS TERMINOLOGY
Arigatou - Thank-you.
Arigatou Gozaimashita - Thank you very much.
Barai - Sweep.
Bunkai - Analysis.
Chuudan - Mid-section.
Dan - Step.
Do - Way/path.
Do-gi - Training uniform.
Dojo - Literally, "Place of the way." The place where karate is practiced.
Gedan - Lower section.
Gyaku - Reverse.
Hai - Yes.
Hajime - Begin.
Hansei - The command given at the closing mediation after the training session in some dojo, which means to recollect something that you have learned that lesson.
Hidari - Left.
Hikite - Pulling hand.
Ikken-Hissatsu - One deadly strike.
Joudan - Upper level.
Kamiza - Front of the dojo.
Karate - Empty hand.
Karate-do - The way of the empty hand.
Karate-ka - A practitioner of karate.
Kata - A prescribed sequence of techniques against imaginary opponents.
Kiai - A shout.
Kihon - Something which is fundamental. Basic techniques.
Kime - Decision. Often described as focus of power, decisive focus.
Kiotsuke - Attention.
Kyu - Class. Any rank below shodan (first degree black belt).
Maai - Distance.
Mawatte - Turn around.
Migi - Right.
Mokuso - The command given at the meditation before the training session, which means clear your mind in preparation to receive instruction.
Obi - Belt.
Ossu - A greeting.
Rei - Bow.
Reigi - Etiquette, manners.
Saho - Manners, etiquette.
Seiza - Kneel.
Senpai - One's senior.
Sensei - Teacher.
Shodan - First step, first degree black belt.
Shomen - Front, front of the dojo
Shugo - Gather, assemble.
Tai Sabaki - Body movement/shifting/evasion.
Waza - Technique(s), skill.
Yame - Stop.
Yasumi - Rest.
Yoi - Preparation.