Karate Glossary
A reference guide to common Japanese karate terms you will hear in the dojo. This glossary covers techniques, commands, stances, and concepts used across most karate styles.
General Terms
- Dojo
- Training hall
- Gi
- Training uniform (also called karategi)
- Obi
- Belt
- Sensei
- Instructor or teacher
- Sempai
- Senior student
- Kiai
- Focused shout accompanying a technique
- Rei
- Bow
- Oss / Osu
- General acknowledgement or greeting (used in some styles)
Training Types
- Kihon
- Basics - fundamental techniques practised in isolation or lines
- Kata
- Pre-arranged forms - solo sequences of techniques against imagined opponents
- Kumite
- Sparring - partner-based fighting practice
- Bunkai
- Kata application - practical interpretation of kata movements
Stances (Dachi)
- Zenkutsu-dachi
- Front stance - long, deep, forward-weighted
- Kokutsu-dachi
- Back stance - weight on the rear leg
- Kiba-dachi
- Horse stance - wide, low, weight centred
- Neko-ashi-dachi
- Cat stance - most weight on the rear leg, front foot light
- Shiko-dachi
- Sumo stance - wide, toes pointing outward
Strikes (Tsuki / Uchi)
- Oi-zuki
- Stepping punch (same side as stepping leg)
- Gyaku-zuki
- Reverse punch (opposite side to lead leg)
- Kizami-zuki
- Jab - lead hand punch
- Uraken
- Backfist strike
- Shuto-uchi
- Knife-hand strike
- Empi
- Elbow strike
Kicks (Geri)
- Mae-geri
- Front kick
- Mawashi-geri
- Roundhouse kick
- Yoko-geri
- Side kick
- Ushiro-geri
- Back kick
- Ura-mawashi-geri
- Hook kick / reverse roundhouse
Blocks (Uke)
- Age-uke
- Rising block (head level)
- Soto-uke
- Outside block (middle level, forearm sweeps inward)
- Uchi-uke
- Inside block (middle level, forearm sweeps outward)
- Gedan-barai
- Downward sweeping block (low level)
- Shuto-uke
- Knife-hand block
Commands
- Yoi
- Ready
- Hajime
- Begin
- Yame
- Stop
- Mawatte
- Turn around
- Mokuso
- Close eyes (meditation)
- Seiza
- Formal kneeling position
Counting
- Ichi, Ni, San, Shi, Go
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Roku, Shichi, Hachi, Ku, Ju
- 6, 7, 8, 9, 10