Translations

As a traditional Karate club, we use a lot of traditional Japanese teminology. This section covers some of that terminology.

General Terms

Dojo Doh-joh Training Hall

Gi Gee Training Suit

Hai Hi Yes

Hajime Hah-jee-may Begin/fight

Karateka Kah-ra-te-kah Student of Karate

Kata Cat-ah Forms or sequences

Kihons Key-hons Basic Techniques

Kime Kih-may Becoming still

Kiritsu Kih-rit-su Stand

Kohai Koh-hai Student

Kumite Koo-mi-tay Sparring

Mokuso Moh-koo-so Quiet reflection / mindfulness / meditation

Osah / Oss / Osu Oo-sar or Oos Acknowledgement / Yes(ish)

Otaga-ni Rei Oh-tah-ga-ni ray Show respect (bow) to each other

Rei Ray Show respect (bow)

Seiza Say-za Kneel / traditional sitting position

Senpai Sen-pie Teacher / Favoured student / Assistant Instructor (depending on context)

Sensei Sen-say Teacher / Instructor

Sensei-ni-Rei Sen-say nee ray Show respect to teacher (bow to instructor)

Shihan She-han Senior / Master Instructor

Shomen-ni Rei Show-men-ni ray Show respect (bow) to the front

Tori Toh-ree Person performing a technique

Uke Ooh-key Person on whom a technique is performed

Yamae Yam-ay Return to original position (stop)

Yudansha You-dan-shuh Dan grade holders (black belts)

Numbers

Ichi Itchy One

Ni Knee Two

San San Three

Shi She / Chi Four

Go Goh Five

Roku Ruh-ck Six

Chichi Cheech Seven

Hachi Hah-ch Eight

Ku Koo Nine

Juu Joo Ten

Juu-Ichi Joo-Itch Eleven

Juu-Ni Joo-Knee Twelve

Juu-San Joo-San Thirteen

Juu-Chi Joo-Chi Fourteen

Juu-Go Joo-Goh Fifteen

General / Adjectives

Keage Key-ah-gee Pushing

Kekomi Kuh-koh-mi Snapping

Tobi Tow-be Jump/Jumping

Ushiro Uh-she-row Turning/spinning

Stances

Dachi Dah-chee Stance

Heisukodachi Hi-suh-ko-[dachi] Feet together (toes front)

Kibadachi Key-bah-[dachi] Horse stance (toes front) (not commonly used)

Kokutsu Dachi Koh-kuht-see [dachi] Back stance (not commonly used)

Motodachi Moh-to-[dachi] Front (Normal) Stance

Msubidachi Muh-soo-be-[dachi] Feet together, toes out at 45 degrees

Nikoachi knee-coi-achi Cat stance

Sanchin-dachi San-chin-[dachi] Hourglass or sniper stance

Shieko dachi She-coh-[dachi] Horse stance (sumo stance), toes to corners

Zenkutsu Dachi Zen-kuht-see [dachi] Long stance

*We use Sheikodachi as Horse Stance, it's also called sumo stance, particularly in styles which utilise Kibadachi, which is also called horse stance

Hand Techniques (Punches & Blocks)

Age-Uki ah-gee-[uke] Rising block

Gedan barai gay-dan-bah-rye Low block

Gyaku-zuki gack-a-[zuki] Reverse punch

Kizami Zuki Ki-zah-me [zuki] Jab punch

Oi Zuki oi-[zuki] Front hand punch

Soto Uke Soh-toe [uke] Outside Block

Shuto Uke Shoo-toe [uke] Knife hand block

Uchi Uke Ooh-chi [uke] Inside block

Uke ooh-key Block

Uraken ooh-rack-ken Backfist

Zuki zuh-key Punch / hand strike

Kicks

Kakato Geri Kah-cat-oh Axe Kick

Kansetsu Geri can-set-su Low/stoping side kick

Kin Geri Groin kick

Mae-geri My-ah [geri] Front kick

Mawashi-geri Mah-wash-ee [geri] Round kick

Mikazuki-geri Mih-ka-zuh-key [geri] Crescent kick

Geri g-air-ee Kick

Ushiro Geri uh-she-row [geri] Back Kick

Uwi-mawashi-geri Ooh-wee [mawashi-geri] Hook kick

Yoko Geri yoh-ko [geri] Side kick

Target Areas / Body Parts

Chudan Chew-dan Torso

Gedan Geh-dan Lower Level

Jodan Joh-dan Head

Sokuto Soh-ka-toe Blade of foot

Miscellaneous

Sensei ni domor arigato gozamashita gozaimasu, rei

To the Sensei(s) for past and future, thank you, bow (honorific)

Senpai ni gozamashita gozaimasu, rei

To the students, for past and future, thank you, bow