Karate Basics - Basic Karate Glossary

These are a small selection of some commonly used phrases in most Karate styles.

We hope they will help parents, spectators and even students new to Karate, though the best way to learn them is by repeated exposure to their use in the Dojo!

Karate Ni Sentenashi: Karate-ka must never attack first – mentally or physically
Philosophy: If you attack, never be angry. If you are angry, never attack.

Physical terms
Dojo
Gi

Etiquette
Seiza
Sensei Ni Rei
Otagai Ni Rei
Kiritsu

Basic Techniques
Yohi
Hidari Gamae
Hidari Hanmi Gamae
Mawatte
Hidari Shizentai
Kiai

Common phrases
Mawatte Jodan Uke
Mawatte Gedan Berai
Yame
Naore
Hadjime
Kyuke
Sonobade Ippon Toru
Jodan
Chudan
Gedan

Form
Heisoku Dachi
Shiko Dachi
Kiba Dachi
Neko Ashi Dachi

Block
Jodan Uke
Shuto Uke
Gedan Berai
Morote Uke

Punching
Junzuki
Gyakazuki
Morotezuki
Furizuki

Striking
Tettsui Uke
Shotu Uke
Haito Uchi
Teisho Uchi
Empi Uchi

Kicking
Maegeri
Maegeri Keage
Mawashigeri
Nidan Geri
Hiza Geri
Yoko Geri
Sokuto
Fumikomi
Sokuto Fumikomi
Ushiro Geri


Area designated for studying Karate
Karate uniform


Kneel
Bow to Instructor
Bow to Dojo and all assembled
Stand to attention


Ready stance
Junzuki stance
Left fighting stance
Turn
Left natural stance
Shout


Turn in head block
Turn in lower block
Relax to ready stance
Adopt attention stance
Start
Rest after bow
Change to gyakazuki stance
Head
Middle (solar plexis)
Lower


Informal attention stance
Open leg stance
Straddle leg stance
Cat stance


Forearm upper block
Knife hand block
Downward lower block
Augmented forearm block


Lunge punch
Reverse punch
Double fist punch
Swing punch


Bottom fist strike
Knife hand strike
Ridge hand strike
Palm heel strike
Elbow strike


Front kick
Front snap kick
Turning foot kick (roundhouse kick)
Jumping front kick
Knee kick
Side kick
Foot edge Kick
Stamping kick
Foot edge stamping kick
Back kick

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