Karate Terms & Commands – Japanese to English2

• Anata – You
• Anza – Sitting position, cross legged
• Ashi – Foot
• Ashi-Kubi – Ankle
• Atama – Head
• Barai – Sweep
• Bunkai – Kata Technique Application
• Chudan – Middle (Level)
• Dachi – Stance
• Dojo – School (Karate)
• Domo – Thank You (Informal)
• Domo Arigato – Thank You (Formal)
• Dozo – Please
• Embusen or Enbusen – This is the term used to refer to the spot where a kata begins. In addition, nearly all kata start and end on exactly the same Embusen point.
• Empi or Enpi – Elbow
• Empi-Uchi or Enpi-Uchi – Elbow Strike
• Gedan – Low (Level)
• Geri or Keri – Kick
• Gi – Uniform
• Hai – Yes
• Hajime – Begin/Start
• Harau – Sweeping Techniques
• Hidari – Left
• Hikite – Pulling Hand (bringing hand back to ready position)
• Hiza – Knee
• Iie – No
• Jodan – Upper (Level)
• Kakato – Heel
• Karateka – Practitioner of Karate
• Kata – Form or Pattern
• Keage – Snap
• Kekomi – Thrust
• Keri or Geri – Kick
• Ki – Type of intrinsic energy. Known as Qi or Chi in Chinese martial arts.
• Kiai – Shout
• Kihon – Basic Techniques
• Kime – Focus
• Kiotsuke – Attention
• Kokyu Ho – Breathing exercises
• Kumite – Sparring
• Mae – Front
• Mawatte – Turn Around
• Migi – Right
• Mo Ichi Do – One More Time
• Mokuso – Meditate
• Mushin – Void or State of No Mind
• Nage – Throw
• Neko – Cat (i.e. Neko Ashi Dachi = Cat Foot Stance or Cat Stance)
• Nodo – Throat
• Obi – Belt
• Oss or Osu – Push On Through Difficulties. Nevertheless, this term used in many different ways and is often used by non-Japanese Karate students for “Thank you”, “I understand”, etc. Oss (Osu) is a kind of respectful catch-all phrase.
• Rei – Bow
• Sayonara – Goodbye
• Senpai or Sempai – Senior Student
• Sensei – Teacher/Instructor
• Seiza – Kneel
• Seiza Waza – Kneeling Techniques
• Shuto – Knife Hand
• Tatami – Practice/Training Mat
• Te – Hand
• Tsuki or Zuki – Punch
• Uke – Block
• Ushiro – Back
• Watashi – I (Me)
• Waza – Technique
• Yame – Stop
• Yoko – Side
• Zuki or Tsuki – Punch
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