Terminology

Translate from Japanese to English.

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  

Many of the English words have more than 1 Japanese translation. This is because of the context of which it may be applied. Also there are different dialects of the Japanese language (old and new).

For a list of areas, targets, and general body parts terminology.
Go To Body Parts

-A-
Age Rising
Age tsuki Rising punch
Age uke Rising block
Ago Chin or jaw
Agura Informal sitting
Aka Red
Aka Ippon Red point (tournament sparring)
Akiresu ken Achilles tendon
Ana ta no catch (You are)Winner
Arigato Thank-you
Ashi or Ashibo Leg or shin
Ashi kubi Ankle
Ashi waza Foot techniques
Ashi ura Sole of the foot
Ashi yubi Toes
Ashi zoko Bottom (bottom side)of foot
Atemi Striking
Atemi waza Striking techniques
Awase uke Combination blocks

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-B-
Budo Martial arts Way
Bujutsu Martial arts techniques
Bunkai Application of a technique
Bushi Warrior class of Japan
Bushido Way of the warrior

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-C-
Choku tsuki Straight punch
Chudan Midsection of the body

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-D-
Dachi Stance
Dan Black belt rank
De ashi barai Forward foot sweep
Denzook No count
Do The way
Dojo Martial arts training hall, literally "Place of the Way
Dokko Mastoids
Domo Arigato Thank-you

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-E-
Embusen Floor pattern of Kata
Empi Elbow
Empi uchi Elbow strike

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-F-
Fukushin Judge
Fukuto Outside, lower thigh
Fumikomi Stamping kick
Fushi Knucle, joint

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-G-
Ganmen Face
Gai wan Outer arm
Gan or Gansei Eye
Gankaku Dachi Crane stance - also Tsuru ashi or Sagi ashi dachi
Ganmen Head, face
Gasshuku Special Training Camp
Gatame Hold, arm bar
Geashi Reversal
Gedan Lower part of the body
Gedan barai Low block
Gen no sen Allow one to attack, set up to counter-attack
Geri Kick
Gi Karate Uniform
Go Five
Gyaku Reverse, reversal
Gyaku tsuki Reverse punch

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-H-
Ha Tooth
Hada Skin
Haguki Gums
Hae Lungs
Haibu Back (back rib area)
Haimen Back or rear side
Hana Nose
Hachi Eight
Hachiji dachi Natural stance
Hai Yes
Haishu Back of the hand
Haisoku Instep
Haito Ridge hand, inner blade of hand
Hai wan Back of the arm
Hajime Begin
Hanshi Master - Usually the highest ranking in the organization
Hansoku Foul
Hantei Decision
Hara Abdomen
Harai Sweep
Hidari Left
Hifu Skin
Hiji Elbow
Hitai Forehead
Hiza Knee
Honbu Headquarters

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-I-
Ibuki Controlled breathing
Ichi One
Ippon Point (as in scoring)
Ippon Kumite One-step sparring
Iyeh No

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-J-
Jikan Time - as in tournaments
Jinzo Kidney
Jiu Kumite Freestyle sparring
Jodan Head or upper area
Jogai Out of bounds - tournaments
Ju Ten
Ju Dachi Free Fighting stance
Juji Cross

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-K-
Kache Winner (Tournament)
Kagi Hooking
Kakushin waza Hidden technique
Kaisho Open hand
Kakato Heel
Kakuto Bent wrist
Kake Application of the technique
Kakiwake uke Pushing through block
Kamae Combative posture
Kami or Ke Hair
Kansetsu Joint lock
Kanzo Liver
Kappo Resuscitating (from knock out)
Kara Empty
Karada Body or physique
Karate Empty hand, or weaponless
Karateka One who practices karate
Kasumi Temple (side of the head)
Kata Pre-arranged form or techniques
Keage Snap kick
Katame Grappling
Keibu Neck
Keito uke Chicken head block
Kekome Thrust kick
Kensei Technique with silent kiai
Kentsui uke (tettsui uke) Hammer fist block
Keri waza Kicking techniques
Ketto Blood
Ki Life force - mind - spirit
Kiai Shout of focus
Kihon Basic technique
Kioskite Attention
Kibadachi Straddle (horse) stance
Kime Focus
Kingeri Groin kick
Kinniku Muscles
Kinteki Testicles
Kizami tsuki Jab punch
Kohai A student junior to one's self
Kokutsudachi Backstance
Koken Wrist, bent wrist
Kon bon wa Good evening (after daylight)
Konnichi wa Good evening (during daylight)
Kosa uke Crossed block
Koshi Ball of foot
Ku Nine
Kuchi Mouth
Kubodo Weapons training
Kudasai Please (if you please)
Kudsurogu Relax or rest
Kumiuchi Grappling
Kumite Sparring
Kyobu Chest
Kyu Colored belt rank

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-M-
Ma-ai Distancing
Mae Front
Mae geri Front kick
Mae geri keage Front snap kick
Mae geri kekomi Front thrust kick
Mae tobi geri Jump front kick
Makiwara Striking board
Makoto Absolute sincerity, from a pure open mind
Manabu Learning by imitating
Matte Wait
Mawashi geri Roundhouse kick
Mawashi tsuki Roundhouse punch, hook punch
Mawatte, mawri, mawaru Turn
Me Eye
Men Face
Migi Right (side)
Mikazuki Crescent
Mikazuki geri Crescent kick
Mimi Ears
Mo Ichido Once again
Mokuso Contemplation, meditation
Morote uke Augmented block
Mudansha Student without black belt rank
Mune Chest
Mushin No mind - to act (or adapt) without thinking
Musubi Dachi Attention stance
Myaku Pulse

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-N-
Naifanchi, Naihanchi Dachi Straddle stance
Nai wan Inner arm
Namiashi Sweep avoidance
Neko Cat
Nekoashidachi Cat stance
Ni Two
Nidan tobi geri Double jump kick
Nodo Throat
Nukite Spear hand

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-O-
Obi Belt
Ohiyo gozaimasu Good Morning
Oi tsuki Lunge punch
Okuri ashi barai Foot sweep
Onigaishimasu Please teach me
Osoto Outside
Osoto Uke Outside (forearm) block
Osu Greetings
Oswate Sit down
Otate Stand up
Oyasumi nasai Good night (departure)
Oyo waza Application interpreted from kata techniques

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-R-
Rei Bow
Reigi or reishiki Etiquette
Rensei Practise tournament - critique
Renshi Expert instructor, one who has mastered himself
Rokkotsu Rib
Roku Six
Ryu School of martial arts

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-S-
Sakotsu Collar bone
San Three
Sanchin dachi Hourglass stance
Satori Enlightenment
Sebone Backbone, spine
Seiryuto Base of the ridge hand
Seiza Kneeling/Sitting position
Sempai Senior
Senaka The back
Sen no sen Attack at the exact moment of your opponents attack
Sensei Teacher
Seoi Shoulder
Seridsu Line up
Shiai Tournament
Shihan Master Instructor
Shikkaku Disqualification
Shin, Shinzo Heart
Shintai Body
Shiri Buttocks
Shita Tongue
Shizen dachi Sparring stance
Sho Palm of hand
Shomen To the front
Shofu Side of neck
Shuto Knife hand
Shuto uchi Knife hand strike
Shuto uke Knife hand block
Sokko Top of the foot
Sokuto Edge of the foot
Soru Sit down (or kneel)
Soto Outside
Soto ude uke (Osoto uke) Outside forearm block
Suigetsu Solar-plexis
Suwari Sit

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-T-
Tai Body
Taikaky Build or physique
Taisabaki Body twisting evasion movements
Tanden Navel
Tatte Stand up
Te Hand
Te gatana uke
(shuto uke)
Hand sword block
Teisho Palm heel
Tenshin Moving, shifting
Tenshin Sho Divine intervention
Tettsui Hammer fist
Tome Return to original position
Tomoe Stomach
Tsukami waza Catching technique
Tsuki Punch or fist
Tuite Grappling skills

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-U-
Uchi Inner
Ude Forearm
Ude uki Forearm block
Uke Block
Ukemi waza Breakfall techniques
Uraken (reiken) uchi Back fist strike
Uratsuki Close punch
Ushiro Rear
Ushiro geri Back kick

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-W-
Wado Way of Peace and Harmony
Wan Arm
Waza Technique
Wazari Half point

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-Y-
Yama Mountain
Yamabushi Mountain warriors
Yawara Control
Yame Stop
Yasumi Rest
Yobo Face
Yodansha One who is a black belt
Yoi Ready
Yoko Side
Yoko geri Side kick
Yubi Finger
Yubisaki Fingertip
Yudansha Black Belt

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-Z-
Zanshin Awareness
Zazen Sitting meditation
Zen Buddhist sect or Religious meditation
Zenshin Whole body
Zenkutsudachi Forward stance
Zenwan Forearm
Zori Japanese slippers
Zuno Head or brains

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