A
Age: Above
Aka: Red
Ao: Blue
Anza: Seated in a neat (properly arranged) posture
Arigatou: Thank you
Ashi: Leg
Ashikubi: Ankle
Ashi Dori: Grabbing or locking the leg
B
Barai (or Harai): Sweeping strike; a sweep
Bo: Stick
Boei: Defense
Bokken: Sword (Wooden)
Budo: The noble martial spirit
Bugei: Martial arts; martial skill
Bunkai: The analysis (or practical application) of kata
C
Chudan: The midsection (from the waist up to the neck)
Chukoku: A warning
D
Dachi: Stance
Dai: Big, great
Do (Karatedo, Aikido, Judo,...): Way or path (as in “the way”)
Doji: A training hall or school—often a place for practice and sacred rituals in Japanese martial arts
Dori (or Tori): Catch
E
Embusen: The diagram or layout of a kata
Eri: The collar of the gi (Karate uniform)
F
Fudo: Immovable
Fumikiri: A cutting kick
Fumikomi: A stamping kick
Fusegi: Escape
G
Gachi: Victory
Gaeshi: A counter-attack
Garami: Twisting
Gari: A sweeping or reaping action
Gi: Karate uniform
Gedan: The lower region (from the lower body down)
Gendai:
Geri: Kick
Go Kumi: Fighting does not include grappling under Hyakusenkan rules
Goju Kumi: Free Sparring under Hyakusenkan rules
Guruma: Wheel
Gyaku: Reverse
H
Ha: Wing (as seen in Kata Ha Jime)
Hadaka: Bare or naked (as in Hadaka Jime)
Hai: Yes
Hane: A spring-like, bouncing action (as in hane goshi)
Hanmi: Half-body; literally “half of the body”
Happo: Eight directions
Hara: The abdomen or core (stomach)
Henka: A variation or transformation
Hidari: Left
Hiji: Elbow
Hiki: Pull
Hineri: A twist (a one-direction twist, like turning a screw)
Hiza: Knee
Ho: Method
I
Irimi: Entering close; moving in for an attack
J
Jodan: The upper region (from the neck upward)
Ju Kumi: Grappling under Hyakusenkan rules using Gi
Junbi: The preparatory or ready stance
K
Kata: Form
Kai: An association or group
Kaisan: To disband or dissolve
Kaiso: An open-hand technique
Kaite: A turning technique—moving in a circular manner with a back-to-back posture
Kakato: Heel
Kama (or Gama): Sickle (a tool for cutting grass)
Kamae: Stance or posture
Kami: Above (as in Kami Shiho Gatame)
Kamiza: The seat of honor in the dojo; a prestigious position
Kansetsu: Joints (bones and joints)
Katame (or Gatame): A control or restraining technique (to pin or capture)
Keage: Snap
Kekomi: Thrust
Kesa: Draping over the neck (as in Kesa Gatame)
Ki: Energy or spirit (vital force)
Kiai: A shout that expresses one’s spirit and power
Kihon: Basic techniques or fundamentals
Kiri: To cut, slash, or sever
Koden: Tradition
Kokyuho: A breathing method
Koshi: Hip
Kotai: Physical training or exercises to strengthen the body
Kote: Wrist
Kumi: Grappling or facing off
Kumite: Free Sparring
Kuzure: A variant or modification
Kuzushi: The technique of unbalancing an opponent
L
M
Maai: The distance or interval between opponents
Mae: Front
Mata: Thigh
Mawashi: Circular or round (as in roundhouse techniques)
Migi: Right
Modori: Returning to the original position
Mokuso: Meditation
Morote: Both hands
Mubobi: Self-endangerment; putting oneself at risk
Mune: Chest
N
Nage: Throw
Naname: Diagonal
O
Obi: Belt
Okuden: Secret teachings
Okuri: Sliding
Osaekomi: Hold-down practice (pinning technique)
Osu: Commonly used as a greeting or to express acknowledgment
Otoshi: Dropping from above
P
Q
R
Rei: Bow
Ryu: School or style (Take no Uchi Ryu, Goju Ryu, Wado Ryu, .....)
S
Sankaku: Triangle
Sasae: A locking or supporting technique
Sen: The moment or timing of an attack
Senpai: Senior or elder student
Sensei: Teacher
Shime: A choking or neck-tightening technique
Shiho: The four directions or corners
Sho: Small; little (alternative meaning)
Shuto: Knife-hand strike (using the edge of the hand)
Sode: Sleeve; the area around the forearm or elbow
Soto: The outer edge or outside
Sukashi: To evade or counter (to slip an attack)
Sukui: To rescue or save (a technique to neutralize an attack)
Sumi: Corner
Sundome: Free Sparring under WKF (World Karate Federation) or Shotokan rules
Sutemi: Sacrifice (a technique where one gives up position to gain an advantage)
Suzumi: Moving forward
T
Tai: Body
Tanden: The energy center (dantian) in the lower abdomen
Tanto: Knife (Wooden)
Tatami: A training mat
Tate: Vertical or along the vertical axis
Te: Hand
Tenju Kumi: Grappling under Hyakusenkan rules does not use Gi
Tekubi: Wrist
Tobi: To fly or leap
Tomoe: Circle
Tonfa: Tonfa—a baton-like weapon with a handle
Tori: The attacker; the one who executes a technique
Tsuki: Punch
Tsuri: To lift
Tsurite: Lifting the hand
Tsuzukete: “Continue the match!”—a reminder that the match is still in progress
U
Uchi: Striking
Ude: Arm
Uke (Technique): The act of blocking or receiving an attack
Uke (Person): The person who receives the technique; the opponent
Ukemi: Breakfall techniques (methods for safely falling or rolling)
Ushiro: Behind or at the rear
V
W
Waki: The side, armpit, or hip area
Waza: Technique
X
Y
Yame: Stop
Yoko: Sideways or leaning
Yubi: Finger
Z
Zarei: Bowing from a seated position
Zazen: Seated meditation
Zen: Meditation