Some Commonly Used Terms
The martial arts, especially Karate have their origins in Japan. As a result many of the terms used are Japanese. Many of the Japanese letter sounds are similar to English with a few exceptions.
Here is a list of some of the Japanese letters with an explanation of how they sound by comparing them to English letter sounds.
| Japanese sound | English Sounds | Example |
| a | ah | aka (ah-ka) |
| ai | I (as in eye) | Shotokai (show-toe-keye) |
| e | eh (as in let) | hajime (haw-gee-meh) |
| ei | ay (as in day) | Sensei (sehn-say) |
| i | ee | Obi (oh-bee) |
| o | oh | dojo (doh-joh) |
| oi | oy (as in boy) | kiiroi (key-roy) |
| u | oo | uchi (oo-chee) |
Keep in mind that in Japanese the letter r is never emphasized. It is pronounced like a soft d. Also, the letter g is always pronounced like the g in go.
Here are the meanings for some common terms used in the martial arts.
General Terms
- Karate: Empty Hands
- Karate Do: The Way of Karate
- Karateka: Practitioner of Karate
- Dojo: School or training room
- Sensei: Teacher
- Sempai: Senior
- Kohai: Junior
- Renshi: Entry Level Master
- Shihan: Master Instructor
- Kyu: Rank
- Gi: Uniform
- Obi: Belt
- Hai: Yes
- Iie: No
- Osu: I understand and will try my best. Also used to show respect, enthusiasm.
Do not use outside of the dojo! - Do: Way
- Budo: Way of combat
- Zanshin: Poise and control
- Kime: Focus
- Kihon: Fundamentals/Basics
- Kiai: Spirit shout/focus of spiritual energy
- Kata: Practice form
- Embusen: Floor pattern/lines of a kata
- Maai: Distance
- Bunkai: Application (interpretation) of kata techniques
- Kumite: Sparring/fighting
- Ippon kumite: One-step sparring
- Yakusoku kumite: 'Promise' premeditated sparring
- Gohon kumite: Five-step sparring
- Jiyyu kumite: Free sparring
- Waza: Technique
- Dachi: Stance
- Tsuki (Zuki): Punch
- Uchi: Strike
- Uke: Block
- Rei: Bow
- Waza: Technique
- Geri: Kick
- Ashi-barai: Foot sweep
- Kamae: Posture
- Yori-ashi: Sliding the feet
- Tai-sabaki: Body shifting
- Shotokan: House of Shoto, Pine Sea, pen name of Funakoshi.
- Mokuso: Meditate/Gather Your Thoughts
- Dozo: Please
- Domo Arigato Gozaimashita: "Thank-you very much"
- Onegai Shimasu: I welcome you to train with me. Literally: "I make a request." Said to one's partner when initiating practice.
Parts Of The Body
- Ken: Fist
- Ippon Ken: Single-point index-finger fist
- Tate Ken: Vertical fist
- Te: Hand
- Kaishu: Open hand
- Tekubi: Wrist
- Teisho: Palm heel
- Ude: Forearm
- Empi (also Hiji): Elbow
- Ashi: Leg
- Ashikubi: Ankle
- Hiza (also Hitsui): Knee
- Ensho: Back of the heel
- Heisoku: Top (instep) of the foot
- Teisoku: Bottom of the foot
- Kakato: Heel of the foot
- Koshi: Ball of the foot
- Sokuto: Outer edge (knife) of the foot
- Tsumasaki: Toe tips
- Atama: Head
- Wan: Arm
- Naiwan: Back of arm
- Kata: Shoulder
- Jiku Ashi: Pivot leg
- Jodan: Head level
- Chudan: Mid-level
- Gedan: Lower level
Counting
- Ichi: One
- Ni: Two
- San: Three
- Shi: Four
- Go: Five
- Roku: Six
- Shichi: Seven
- Hachi: Eight
- Ku: Nine
- Ju: Ten
- NiJu: Twenty
- NiJu-Go: Twenty-five
- Hyaku: One Hundred
- Ippon: First
- Yon: Fourth
- Gohon: Fifth