Karate Terminology
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| Back stance |
Kokutsu-dachi |
|
Cat stance |
Neko-ashi-dachi |
| Crossed feet stance Re: Tekki (kata) | Kosa-dachi |
| Diagonal straddle-leg stance (Rooted stance) | Sochin-dachi |
| Freestyle position | Kamai |
| Front stance (Forward stance) | Zenkutsu-dachi |
| Half-moon stance | Hangetsu-dachi |
| Hour-glass stance | Sanchin-dachi |
| Informal attention stance (feet together) | Heisoku-dachi |
| Informal attention stance (feet turned out) | Musubi-dachi |
| Inverted open leg stance (feet turned in) | Uchi-hachiji-dachi |
| Kneeling or one knee stance | Kata-ashi-dachi |
| L stance | Renoji-dachi |
| Natural position; any one of seven | Shizen-tai |
| One leg stance | Sagi-ashi-dachi |
| Open-leg stance (shoulder width, feet turned out) | Hachiji-dachi |
| Parallel stance | Heiko-dachi |
| Rooted stance | Fudo-dachi |
| Sliding one leg stance | Suri-ashi-dachi |
| Square stance (feet turned out) | Shiko-dachi |
| Stance | Dachi |
| Straddle-leg stance or horse-riding stance | Kiba-dachi |
| T stance | Teiji-dachi |
Punching
| |
| Lunge punch (stepping punch) | Oi-zuki |
| One-knuckle fist straight punch | Ippon-ken-zuki |
| Parallel punch | Heiko-zuki |
| Punch to groin | Gedan-zuki |
| Punch / Punching | Zuki / Tsuki |
| Punching board | Makiwara |
| Punching-techniques | Tsuki-waza |
| Reverse punch | Gyaku-zuki |
| Rising punch | Age-zuki |
| Roundhouse punch | Mawashi-zuki |
| Scissors punch | Hasami-zuki |
| Straight punch | Choku-zuki |
| Straight punch to body | Chudan-choku-zuki |
| Straight punch to face/head | Jodan-choku-zuki |
| Straight punch to groin | Gedan-choku-zuki |
| Three consecutive punches | Sanren-zuki / Sambon-zuki |
| U-punch | Awase-zuki |
| Vertical fist punch | Tate-zuki |
| Wide U-punch | Yama-zuki |
Strikes
| |
| Back elbow strike | Ushiro-empi-uchi / Ushiro-hiji-ate |
| Back-fist strike | Uraken-uchi |
| Back-hand strike | Haishu-uchi |
| Bottom fist strike | Tettsui-uchi |
| Downward elbow strike | Otoshi-empi-uchi / Otoshi-hiji-ate |
| Elbow strike | Empi-uchi / Hiji-ate |
| Fist-hammer strike | Kentsui-uchi |
| Forward elbow strike | Mae-empi-uchi / Mae-hiji-ate |
| Knife hand strike | Shuto-uchi |
| Palm-heel strike | Teisho-uchi |
| Ridge-hand strike | Haito-uchi |
| Rising elbow strike | Age-empi-uchi |
| Roundhouse elbow strike | Mawashi-empi-uchi |
| Side elbow strike | Yoko-empi-uchi / Yoko-hiji-ate |
| Side-round elbow strike | Yoko-mawashi-empi-uchi / -hiji-ate |
| Striking | Uchi |
| Striking techniques | Uchi-waza |
| Tiger mouth strike | Koko-uchi |
| Upward elbow strike | Tate-empi-uchi / Tate-hiji-ate |
| X-strike | Juji-uchi |
Blocks
| |
| Ankle hooking block | Ashikubi-kake-uke |
| Augmented block | Morote-uke |
| Augmented-forearm block | Morote-ude-uke |
| Back-arm block | Hai-wan-uke |
| Back-arm sweeping block | Haiwan-nagashi-uke |
| Back-hand block | Haishu-uke |
| Bent-wrist block | Kakuto-uke |
| Block from inside outward | Uchi-uke |
| Blocking | Uke |
| Chicken-head wrist block | Keito-uke |
| Circular sole block | Sokutei-mawashi-uke |
| Combined palm-heel block | Teisho-awase-uke |
| Downward block | Gedan-uke / Gedan-barai |
| Downward hooking block | Gedan-kake-uke |
| Dropping block | Otoshi-uke |
| Forearm block | Ude-uke |
| Forearm block stepping in | Fumikomi-ude-uke |
| Forearm pressing block | Maeude-deai-osae |
| Forearm twist block | Maeude-hineri-uke |
| Grasping block | Tsukami-uke |
| Hand pressing block | Te-osae-uke |
| Hand sweeping block | Te-nagashi-uke |
| Hooking block | Kake-uke |
| Hooking knife-hand block | Kake-shuto-uke |
| Inside block stepping in | Fumikomi-uchi-uke |
| Inside block (forearm) | Uchi-ude-uke |
| Inside leg block | Nami-ashi |
| Inside-block against body attack | Chudan-uchi-uke |
| Knife hand block | Shuto-uke |
| Knife hand block stepping in | Fumikomi-shuto-uke |
| Knife-hand block against body attack | Chudan-shuto-uke |
| Leg hooking block | Ashibo-kake-uke |
| Outside forearm block | Soto-ude-uke |
| Outside (forearm) block against body attack | Chudan-ude-uke |
| Ox-jaw block | Seiryuto-uke |
| Palm-heel block | Teisho-uke |
| Pressing block | Osae-uke |
| Pressing block stepping in | Deai-osae-uke |
| Pressing block with foot edge | Sokuto-osae-uke |
| Pressing block with sole | Sokutei-osae-uke |
| Ridge-hand block | Haito-uke |
| Rising block | Age-uke |
| Scooping block | Sukui-uke |
| Side two-hand block | Sokumen-awase-uke |
| Swazsticker position / block (developed from 'Budist symbol') | Manji-uke |
| Sweeping block | Nagashi-uke |
| Two-handed grasping block | Morote-tsukami-uke |
| Two-handed scooping block | Morote-sukui-uke |
| Upper block against head attack | Jodan-age-uke |
| Upper block stepping in | Fumikomi-age-uke |
| Vertical knife-hand block | Tate-shuto-uke |
| Wedge block | Kakiwake-uke |
| Wrist-hooking block | Te-kubi-kake-uke |
| X-block | Juji-uke |
Kicking
| |
| Back kick | Ushiro-geri |
| Back roundhouse kick (spinning) | Ushiro-mawashi-geri |
| Combination kick | Renzoku-geri |
| Consecutive kicking | Ren-geri |
| Crescent kick | Mikazuki-geri |
| Cutting kick | Fumikiri |
| Diagonal kick | Kesa-geri |
| Double jumping kick | Nidan-tobi-geri |
| Double kick | Nidan-geri |
| Front kick | Mae-geri |
| Front kick to face | Jodan-mae-geri |
| Front kick to the body | Chudan-Mae-geri |
| Front leg kick | Mae-ashi-geri |
| Front snap kick | Mae-geri-keage |
| Front thrust kick | Mae-geri-kekomi |
| Groin kick | Kin-geri |
| Jump kick | Tobi-geri |
| Jump kick - both legs, same time | Jumbo-geri |
| Jumping front kick | Mae-tobi-geri |
| Jumping side kick | Yoko-tobi-geri |
| Kick off (snap kick) | Kebanashi |
| Kick / Kicking | Geri |
| Kicking techniques | Geri-waza |
| Knee kick | Hiza-geri |
| Rear-leg kick | Ushiro-ashi-geri |
| Reverse roundhouse kick | Gyaku-mawashi-geri |
| Rising block (reverse foot) | Age-uke-gyaku-ashi |
| Roundhouse kick | Mawashi-geri |
| Side kick | Yoko-geri |
| Side snap kick | Yoko-geri-keage |
| Side thrust kick | Yoko-geri-kekomi |
| Snap kick | Keage |
| Snap kick with foot edge | Sokuto-keage |
| Stamping Kick | Fumikomi |
| Thrust kick | Kekomi |
| Thrust kick to face | Jodan-kekomi |
| Thrust kick to groin | Gedan-kekomi |
Body Parts
| |
| Ankle | Ashi-kubi |
| Arm | Wan |
| Arm sword | Wanto |
| Arm-stick | Shubo |
| Back-arm | Hai-wan |
| Back-fist | Uraken |
| Back-hand | Haishu |
| Back, rear | Senaka / Ushiro |
| Ball of the foot | Ko-shi |
| Bear-hand | Kumade |
| Bent-wrist | Kakuto |
| Bottom fist | Tettsui |
| Breast | Chibusa |
| Chest | Mune |
| Chest area | Chudan |
| Chicken-head wrist | Keito |
| Chin or jaw | Ago |
| Eagle hand (beak) | Washide |
| Ear | Mimi |
| Elbow | Empi or Hiji |
| Eyes | Me |
| Face | Kao |
| Face area | Jodan |
| Fingers | Ubi |
| Fist-hammer | Kentsui |
| Foot | Ashi |
| Foot edge (inside) | Sokutei |
| Foot edge (outside) | Sokuto |
| Foot techniques | Ashi-waza |
| Forearm | Ude |
| Fore-fist | Seiken |
| Fore-knuckle fist | Hiraken |
| Four finger spear hand | Shihon-nukite |
| Genitals | Seishokuki |
| Hair | Kaminoke |
| Hand | Te |
| Hand-hammer | Shittsui |
| Head | Atama |
| Heel | Enju / Kakato |
| Hips | Koshi |
| Inner arm | Nai-wan |
| Instep | Haisoku |
| Knee | Hiza |
| Knee cap | Hizagashira |
| Knife hand | Shuto |
| Legs | Ashi |
| Lip | Kuchibiru |
| Lower area of body | Gedan |
| Middle knuckle fist | Nakadaka-ken |
| Middle-finger one-knuckle fist | Nakadaka-ippon-ken |
| Mouth | Kuchi |
| Navel | Tanden |
| Neck | Kubi |
| Nose | Hana |
| One-finger spear hand | Ippon-nukite |
| One-knuckle fist | Ippon-ken |
| Open hand | Kaisho |
| Outer arm | Gai-wan |
| Ox-jaw hand | Seiryuto |
| Palm arm | Shu-wan |
| Palm-heel | Teisho |
| Raised sole | Jo-sokutei |
| Reverse foot | Gyaku-ashi |
| Ridge-hand | Haito |
| Round heel | En-sho |
| Shoulders | Kata |
| Side | Yoko |
| Skin | Hifu or hada |
| Sole of foot | Ashi-no-ura |
| Spear-hand straight thrust | Nukite |
| Stomach (concept of spiritual centre) | Hara |
| Teeth | Ha |
| Thigh | Momo |
| Throat | Nodo |
| Thumb | Oyayubi |
| Tips of toes | Tsumasaki |
| Toes | Ashi-ubi |
| Tongue | Shita |
| Two finger spear-hand | Nihon-nukite |
| Wrist | Te-kubi |
Counting
| |
| One | Ichi |
| First | Sho |
| Two/Second | Ni |
| Three/Third | San |
| Four | Shi |
| Fourth | Yon |
| Five/Fifth | Go |
| Six/Sixth | Roku |
| SevenSeventh | Shichi |
| Eight/Eighth | Hachi |
| Nine/Ninth | Ku |
| Ten/Tenth | Ju |
Sparring
| |
| Basic one-step sparring | Kihon-ippon-kumite |
| Basic sparring | Kihon kumite |
| Five step sparring | Gohon-kumite |
| Free-style sparring | Jiyu-kumite |
| One step sparring | Ippon-kumite |
| Semi-free one-step sparring | Jiyu-ippon-kumite |
| Sparring | Kumite |
| Three step sparring | Sanbon-kumite |
| Two-step freestyle sparring (2nd step free) | Okuri-jiyu-ippon-kumite |
| Return one step sparring | Kaeshi-ippon-kumite |
Kata
| |
| Compulsory Kata | Shitai |
| Favourite kata | Tokui |
| Forms | Kata |
| Performance Line | Enbusen |
|
|
|
| Peaceful Mind (5 off) | Heian (Shodan to Godan) |
| Horse riding 1st level | Tekki-shodan |
| To Penetrate a fortress (major) | Bassai-dai |
| 'Viewing the sky' (major) | Kanku-dai |
| Flying swallow | Enpi |
| Ten hands | Jitte |
| Named after Chinese temple 'Jion Ji' | Ji'in |
| Temple | Jion |
| Half moon | Hangetsu |
| Horse riding 2nd level | Tekki-nidan |
| To Penetrate a fortress (minor) | Bassai-Sho |
| Crane on a rock | Gankaku |
| Unusual / Strange / Chinese Hands | Chinte |
| 'Viewing the sky' (minor) | Kanku-Sho |
| 24 Steps | Nijushiho |
| Bright mirror | Meikyo |
| To root, or to preserve the peace (as perthe strance) | Sochin |
| King's crown | Wankan |
| Hands like the clouds | Unsu |
| 54 Steps (major) | Gojushiho-dai |
| 54 Steps (minor) | Gojushiho-sho |
| Horse riding 3rd level | Tekki-sandan |
Miscellaneous
| |
| Agreement, understand, hello etc | Oss |
| Begin | Hajime |
| Belt (sash) | Obi |
| Blue | Ao |
| Bow | Rei |
| Consecutive | Ren |
| Deep breathing and empty mind (Meditation) | Mokso |
| Distancing | Ma-ai |
| Empty - Chinese | Kara |
| Empty-hand fighting | Karate |
| Focusing the muscles - Tension | Kime |
| Front | Mae |
| Grade (below black belt) | Kyu |
| Half-front-facing position | Hanmi |
| Hand techniques | Te-waza |
| Hooking throw | Kake-Nage |
| Inner power (spirit) | Ki |
| Jacket | Gi |
| Jumping | Tobi |
| Junior grade | Kohai |
| Left | Hidari |
| Level (Black belt & above) | Dan |
| Main dojo or HQ | Hombu |
| Master (6th Dan and above) | Shihan |
| Meditation | Mokuso |
| Moving and stepping | Unsoku |
| Oath | Kun |
| Person or practitioner | Ka |
| Pulling hand | Hikate |
| Ready | Yoi |
| Red | Aka |
| Relax | Enoy |
| Reverse | Gyaku |
| Right | Migi |
| Senior | Sempai |
| Shout used to unite Ki and Physical power | Kiai |
| Sliding | Suri |
| Smashing techniques | Ate-waza |
| Staff (wooden) | Bo |
| Stop - finish | Yamae |
| Student of karate | Karateka |
| Teacher | Sensei |
| Teacher we bow | Sensei-ne-rei |
| Technique | Waza |
| Test of technique's power | Tameshi-wari |
| Throwing techniques | Nage-waza |
| Tiger mouth position | Koko-gamae |
| Training gym | Dojo |
| Turn | Mawate |
| Way | Do |
| White | Shiro |

double dragon shotokan karate