Japanese Karate Terms
The terminology listed below is tested during student gradings. Japanese terms are read out appropriate to the student’s level, and students will be expected to respond at lower grades by calling out the English translation, or at higher grades by performing the movements and techniques.
| Japanese | English |
| Aritsu | Move |
| Dan | Rank or Master Grade |
| Dojo | Training Hall |
| Gi | Uniform |
| Gohon Gumite | 5 point sparring |
| Ippon Gumite | 1 point sparring |
| Jiyu Kumite | Free Fighting |
| Kai | School |
| Kan | Hall |
| Karate | Empty Hand |
| Kata | Set Form |
| Keage | Snap (yoko geri keage) |
| Kekomi | Thrust (yoko geri kekomi) |
| Kiai | Spirit Shout |
| Kimi | Focus |
| Kiritsu | Stand |
| Kyu | Rank |
| Makiwara | Training Post |
| Mawatte | Turn |
| Mokuso | Meditation |
| Morote | Double / Augmented |
| Nami Ashi / Nami Gaeshi | Returning Wave Leg (seen in kata Tekki Shodan) |
| Naore | Feet Together |
| Obi | Belt |
| Otaga Ni Rei | Bow to each other |
| Rei | Bow |
| Sanbon Gumite | 3 point sparring |
| Seiken | Strike with the first two knuckles |
| Seiretsu | Line up |
| Seiza | Kneeling |
| Sensei | Instructor or Teacher |
| Sensei Ni Rei | Bow to Teacher |
| Tameshiwari | Breaking Techniques |
| Tatami | Mat |
| Waza | Technique |
| Yoi | Move to Ready Stance |
| Zanshin | Awareness |
| Japanese | English |
| Chudan Uchi Uke | Middle block to inside |
| Gedan Barai | Lower sweeping block |
| Haishu Uke | Back hand block |
| Hiji Uke | Elbow block |
| Jodan Age Uke | Upward rising block |
| Juji Uke | Cross block |
| Nagashi Uke | Deflecting block |
| Shuto Uke | Knife hand block |
| Soto Uke | Outside block to inside |
| Suzuki Uke | Scooping block |
| Japanese | English |
| Ash Barai | Foot sweep |
| Fumikomi | Stamping kick |
| Hiza Geri | Knee kick |
| Kakatogeri | Heel kick |
| Kingeri | Top of foot to groin kick |
| Kizamigeri | Snap kick (front leg) |
| Maegeri | Front kick (back leg) |
| Mawashageri | Roundhouse kick |
| Mizazukigeri | Cresent kick |
| Nidan Geri | Double jump kick (Jodan, Chudan) |
| Tobi Geri | Jump kick |
| Ushirogeri | Back kick |
| Yokogeri | Side kick |
| Japanese | English |
| Choku Zuki | Straight Punch |
| Gyaku Zuki | Reverse Punch |
| Jun Zuki | Following Punch |
| Kagi Zuki | Hook Punch |
| Kizami Zuki | Jab Punch |
| Mawashi Zuki | Roundhouse Punch |
| Oi Zuki | Pursuing Punch, or Lunge Punch (Jun Zuki) |
| Ren Zuki | Alternate Punch (Front/Back) |
| Tate Zuki | Vertical Punch |
| Ura Zuki | Reverse Side Punch (Uppercut) |
| Yama Zuki | Mountain Punch (or U Punch) |
| Yumi Zuki | Bow Punch (Kata Jion) |
| Japanese | English |
| Empi Uchi | Elbow Strike |
| Haishu Uchi | Back Hand Strike |
| Haito Uchi | Ridge Hand Strike |
| Hiji Ate | Elbow Strike |
| Hiraken Uchi | Fore Knuckle Fist |
| Ippon Ken | First Knuckle Fist (Index Finger) |
| Ippon Nukite | One Finger Spear Hand |
| Kakuto Uchi | Crane Head Strike (Old wrist block koken) |
| Keito Uchi | Chicken Head Wrist Strike |
| Nakadak Ippon Ken | Middle Finger Knuck Fist |
| Nihon Nukite | Two Finger Spear Hand |
| Otoshi Uchi | Dropping Strike (Kata Empi) |
| Shihon Nukite | Four Fingers Spear Hand |
| Shuto Uchi | Knife Hand Strike |
| Tate Uraken Uchi | Vertical Backfist Strike |
| Teisho Uchi | Palm Heel Strike |
| Tetsui Uchi | Hammer Fist Strike |
| Uraken Uchi | Back Fist Strike |
| Japanese | English |
| Ai Uchi | Simultaneous Strike |
| Awasete Ippon | Two Half Points (Making one full point) |
| Chui | Warning |
| Gachi / Kachi | Victory or Decision |
| Hajime | Begin |
| Hansoku | Violation of the rules |
| Hantai | Winning |
| Hikiwake | Draw |
| Ippon | One Full Point |
| Matte | Stop |
| Shomen Ni Rei | Bow to the Front |
| Tsuzukete | Continue |
| Waza Ari | Half Point |
| Yame | Finish |
