General Terms
Ashi barai: Foot sweep
Budo : Martial Way; Martial arts
Busaganishi: Martial arts deity
Bunkai: Study of kata applications and techniques
Chiru no chan chan : Fast, springy action
Chudan : Middle level
Dan : Level
Do : Way; Path
Dojo : Training place
Dojo kun : Dojo rules
Gasshuku : Special karate training camp
Gedan : Lower level
Geri : Kick
Gi: Jacket; training costume; tunic
Go : Hard; unyielding
Go kumite : Hard sparring
Goju Ryu Karate Do : Hard / Soft style, empty handed Way
Hai: Yes
Hajime : Begin
Hara : Stomach
Heishugata : "Closed Fist" kata (Sanchin and Tensho)
Hidari : Left
Hiji : Elbow
Hiza : Knee
Hojo undo : Supplementary exercises
Honbu Dojo : Central dojo of an organization
Ippon kumite : One point sparring
Jodan : Upper level
Ju : Soft; flexible
Junbi Undo : Warm up exercises
Kaishugata : "Open fist" kata (Gekisai, Saifa, etc.)
Kakie : Push hands
Kamae : Combative posture
Kamae te : Assume stance
Kanji: Chinese characters
Karate : Empty hand
Karate-Do : The way of Karate
Kata : Forms
Keage : Snap action
Kenkon : The symbol of the I.O.G.K.F. Literally "Heaven and Earth"
Ki o tsuke : Attention (phonetically" kee-ut-ski")
Kiai: Focusing shout
Kihon : Basic techniques
Kokomi: Thrust action
Koshi: Ball of the foot
Kumite : Sparring
Kyu : White to brown belt rank
Mae : Front
Mawatte : Turn around
Migi: Right
Mokuso : Silent contemplation, meditation
Muchimi: Heavy, sticky action
Obi: Training uniform belt
Oyo bunkai: Study of techiques in kata (similar to Bunkai but including follow-ups)
Otagai: Training partner
Randori: Free sparring, relaxed sparring (sometimes called "Jiyu kumite")
Rei: Bow
Sandan gi: Three level sparring
Seiken : Fore fist
Seiza : Formal sitting position (kneeling on your haunches, feet crossed)
Semete : Attacking partner
Shime : Sanchin testing
Shomen : The front
Shugo : Line up
Ski atte : Change hands
Suri ashi : Sliding step
Tai sabaki : Body evasion ability
Tanden : Navel
Te : Hand
Ude : Forearm
Ude tanren : Forearm conditioning
Uke harai: Blocking exercises
Ushiro : Back, rear
Waza : Techniques
Yobi undo : Warm up exercises
Yakusoku kumite : Pre-arranged sparring
Yame : Stop
Yoi: Ready
Yoko : Side
Zanshin : Awareness
Agura : Informal sitting (legs crossed)
Asobidi: Playful martial arts
Ayumi ashi : Natural stepping
Chakuchki : Replacing
Embusen : Pattern of a given kata
Gai-wan : Outer arm
Gohon kumite : Five step basic sparring
Gyakute : Grappling, wrestling, joint locking (Literally "hand reverses")
Haishu : Back-hand; Closed hand
Haisoku : Instep
Happo sabaki: All types of footwork and evasion movements
Hiku no chikara : The power of recoil
Jiyu ippon : One step freestyle sparring
Josokutei: Ball of the feet
Judo : The Gentle Way
Junan taiso : Stretching exercises
Kaette : Return, or Go Back
Kaikoken : Crab Fist
Kaisho : Open hand
Kakato : Heel
Kakuto : Bent-wrist
Keiko : Training (also means 'Joined fingertips')
Keito : Chicken head wrist
Kentsui: Fist hammer
Ki: Mind, Spirit, Energy
Kihon ippon : Basic one point sparring
Kihon kumite : Basic sparring
Kime : Focus of power
Koken : Wrist Joint
Koshin : Rearward
Kyusho jutsu : The art of attacking the vital points of the body
Ma : Distance between opponents
Ma ai: Distancing
Mae ukemi: Front fall / roll
Maete : Jab (Literally "Front Hand")
Matte : Wait
Morote no kamae : Augmented handed combative posture
Nai-wan : Inner arm
Nin : Perseverance; tolerance; endurance; patience.
O swate : Sit down
O tate : Stand up
Reigi: Etiquette, manners (sometimes called "Reishiki")
Sandan kumite : Three step, three level sparring
Sanbon kumite : Three step sparring
Sanbon zuki: Three step sparring, one hand blocks three punch combination
Seishin tanren : Forging oneself through karate training
Shiho-wari: Breaking boards on four sides to test power, awareness and focus (sometimes
called 'Tameshiwari')
Shinzen : Shrine
Shinzui: Truth
Shizen tai: Natural position
Tachi: Stances
Tachi zen : Standing meditation
Tameshiwari: Test of technique's power via breaking
Tandoku Renshu : Preparatory exercise
Tako ashi: Octopus foot
Tenshin : Moving, shifting
Tome : Return to original position
Torite : Escape methods
Tsugi ashi: Chassis step
Ukete : Defending party
Unsoku ho : Footwork
Wan : Arm
Yasume : At ease
Zenshin : Forward
Zuki or Tsuki: Punch or thrust (sometimes pronounced "ski")