Japanese Vocabulary
Understanding Japanese terminology is an important part of karate training. This comprehensive reference covers the essential words and phrases used in Goju-Ryu practice.
Learning Japanese Terms
Japanese terminology is used in karate to preserve the traditional teaching methods and ensure consistency across all GKI clubs worldwide. While it may seem challenging at first, you'll naturally learn these terms through regular training.
Tips for Learning Vocabulary
Listen carefully when your instructor uses Japanese terms during class
Repetition is key - you'll hear these words hundreds of times in training
Practice pronunciation with senior students and instructors
Review regularly using this reference page at home
Counting (Kazoe)
| Okinawan | English |
|---|---|
| Ichi | One |
| Ni | Two |
| San | Three |
| Shi | Four |
| Go | Five |
| Roku | Six |
| Shichi | Seven |
| Hachi | Eight |
| Ku | Nine |
| Ju | Ten |
Stances (Dachi/Tachi)
| Okinawan | English |
|---|---|
| Dachi (tachi) | Stance |
| Heisoku Dachi | Closed Foot Stance (feet together) |
| Musubi Dachi | Formal Attention Stance (heels together, feet at an angle) |
| Heiko Dachi | Parallel Stance (feet shoulder width apart) |
| Hachiji Dachi | Natural Stance (feet shoulder width apart, toes slightly pointed out) |
| Shiko Dachi | Straddle Leg Stance |
| Kiba Dachi | Horse Riding Stance |
| Sanchin Dachi | Hourglass Stance |
| Zenkutsu Dachi | Front Stance |
| Han Zenkutsu Dachi | Half Front Stance |
| Fudo Dachi | Free Stance |
| Kokutsu Dachi | Back Stance |
| Neko Ashi Dachi | Cat Foot Stance |
| Renoji Dachi | The Letter 'Re' Stance |
| Sesan Dachi | Side Facing Straddle Stance |
Hand Techniques (Te Waza)
| Okinawan | English |
|---|---|
| Seiken Zuki | Fore Fist Strike |
| Ura Zuki | Short Punch (palm side up) |
| Washide | Eagle Hand |
| Kizami Zuki | Leading Punch, Jab |
| Hasami Zuki | Scissors Punch |
| Shotei Uchi | Palm Heel Strike |
| Age Zuki | Rising Punch |
| Ura-ken Uchi | Back Fist Strike |
| Empi | Elbow Strike |
| Oi Zuki | Lunge Punch |
| Nagashi Zuki | Flowing Punch |
| Shotei Zuki | Palm Heel Thrust |
| Kagi Zuki | Hook Punch |
| Shuto Uchi | Knife Hand Strike |
| Tsuki (zuki) | Punch or Thrust |
| Gyaku Zuki | Reverse Punch |
| Nakadaka Ken | Middle Finger Knuckle Fist |
| Furi Zuki | Circular Punch |
| Yama Zuki | Mountain Punch |
| Hiji Uchi | Elbow Strike |
| Uchi | Strike |
| Nihon Zuki | Double Punch |
| Ko Uchi | Bent Wrist Strike |
| Mawashi Zuki | Round Hook Punch |
| Awase Zuki | U - Punch |
| Tettsui Uchi | Bottom Fist Strike |
| Choku Zuki | Straight Punch |
| Sanbon Zuki | Triple Punch |
| Kumade | Bear Hand |
| Tate Zuki | Vertical Punch |
| Heiko Zuki | Parallel Punch |
| Nukite Zuki | Finger Thrust |
Foot Techniques (Ashi Waza)
| Okinawan | English |
|---|---|
| Keri (geri) | Kick |
| Ashi Barai | Foot Sweep |
| Yoko Geri (kekomi) | Side Thrust Kick |
| Mae Geri (keage) | Front Snap Kick |
| Mae Tobi Geri | Jumping Front Kick |
| Kansetsu Geri | Stamping Kick, Joint Kick |
| Mae Geri (kekomi) | Front Thrust Kick |
| Yoko Tobi Geri | Jumping Side Thrust Kick |
| Hiza Geri | Knee Kick |
| Mawashi Geri | Round House Kick |
| Nidan Geri | Double Front Snap Kick (back leg first) |
| Ushiro Geri | Back Thrust Kick |
| Ren Geri | Double Front Snap Kick (front leg first) |
| Yoko Geri (keage) | Side Snap Kick |
Blocking Techniques (Uke Waza)
| Okinawan | English |
|---|---|
| Chudan Uke | Inside Circular Block |
| Mawashi Uke | Round House Block |
| Ko Uke | Wrist Block |
| Gedan Barai | Downward Block |
| Uchi Uke | Inside Forearm Block |
| Gedan Uchi Barai | Outside Downward Block (open hand) |
| Hiki Uke | Pulling/grasping Block |
| Morote Uke | Augmented Block |
| Ura Uke | Back Hand Block |
| Shuto Uke | Knife Hand Block |
| Uke | Block |
| Hiji Uke | Elbow Block |
| Shotei Uke | Palm Heel Block |
| Age Uke (jodan) | Rising Block |
| Hiza Uke | Knee Block |
| Chudan Uchi Uke | Outside Forearm Block |
Practice Fighting (Kumite)
| Okinawan | English |
|---|---|
| Sanbon Kumite | Three Step Sparring (3 Jodan, 3 Chudan, 3 Gedan) |
| Randori | Slow and soft free style with emphasis on technique |
| Ippon Kumite | One Point Sparring where the attacker defends and counters after the attack |
| Jiyukumite | Hard and fast controlled free style fighting |
| Sandan Kumite | Three Step, Three Level Sparring (1 Jodan, 1 Chudan, 1 Gedan) |
| Sanbon Zuki (kumite) | Three Step Sparring. Blocking with one hand against a three punch combination |
| Kumite | Sparring |
| Kihon Ippon | Basic One Step Sparring |
| Sandan Gi | Basic Sparring adapted from Gekisai Kata |
| Jiyu Ippon | One Step Sparring from free stance |
General Vocabulary
| Okinawan | English |
|---|---|
| Yoi | Ready |
| Morote No Kamae | Augmented Hand Combative Posture |
| Kamae | Combative Posture |
| Ayumi Ashi | Natural Stepping |
| Haisoku | Instep |
| Hidari | Left |
| Jodan No Kamae | Upper Level Combative Posture |
| Hajime | Begin |
| Yori Ashi | Dragging Step |
| Tsumasaki | Tip of the Toes |
| Migi | Right |
| Gedan No Kamae | Lower Combative Posture |
| Yame | Stop |
| Keri Ashi | Kicking Foot |
| Jodan | Upper Area |
| Hiza | Knee |
| Josokutei | Ball of the Foot |
| Shizen Dachi No Kamae | Natural Combative Posture |
| Kime | Focus |
| Tenshin | Moving, Shifting |
| Chudan | Middle Area |
| Suri Ashi | Sliding Step |
| Sokuto | Foot Edge |
| Hanmi No Kamae | Half Forward Facing Combative Posture |
| Rei | Bow |
| Chakuchi | Replacing |
| Gedan | Lower Area |
| Tsugi Ashi | Shuffling Step |
| Kakuto | Heel |
Using This Vocabulary Reference
Bookmark This Page
Save this page on your phone or computer for quick reference during home practice or before class.
Practice Pronunciation
Ask your instructor or senior students to help you with correct pronunciation. Japanese words may sound different than they look written in English.
Learn Gradually
Don't try to memorize everything at once. Focus on the terms you use most frequently in class, and the rest will come naturally with time.
Use in Training
Practice using Japanese terms when training with partners. This helps reinforce your learning and builds confidence in using the vocabulary.
Remember: Learning Japanese terminology is part of respecting the traditional roots of karate. Your instructor doesn't expect perfection - just effort and willingness to learn!