|
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE AND DICTIONARY
This guide provides a Karate related vocabulary for the
student’s use in the Dôjô. Do not feel overwhelmed at having to learn these
terms, they will become familiar through constant usage in the Dôjô. The
serious student of Karate will find that knowledge of the language, history and
culture of Okinawa are invaluable to further study.
Many Japanese words do not have a word for word
translation; therefore, more than one translation may be given. For example, the
word kokoro; can be defined as spirit; heart; will; mood; and intention.
Vowels
The key to correct pronunciation of Japanese lies in
the five vowel sounds.
A as in father
I as in unique
U as in rude
E as in yet
O as in hope
Consonants
Consonants are pronounced the same as in English with
the following exceptions:
G is always hard as in
go.
R is halfway between
the English R and D sounding something like L.
Long Vowels
Long vowels like Karate-Dô, are pronounced the
same only held longer.
Double Consonants
Double consonants are both pronounced. For example, the
word tettsui; is pronounced tet-tsui with both t's
enunciated.
Muting
Vowels are frequently muted after a soft consonant.
Examples are:
|
Mokuso |
mok' so |
|
desuka |
des' ka |
Sound Changes
The pronunciation of some consonants changes when
combining words and when shifting to the combining form of verbs. Some examples
are:
|
keri |
mae-geri |
|
tachi |
yoi-dachi |
|
mawasu |
mawashi |
Ranks and Titles in Karate-Dô
|
Kyû |
The 10 grades before black belt level.
The mudansha grades. |
|
Dan |
The 10 ranks of black belt level. The
yudansha ranks. |
|
Mudansha |
A person who holds a kyu grade. |
|
Yudansha |
A person who holds a dan rank. |
|
Sempai |
One's senior; a form of address for a
senior student. |
|
Sensei |
Your teacher; a title of respect for
someone older (and wiser). |
|
Shihan |
A person who holds an instructor's
license. |
|
Renshi |
A title given to one who is Godan or
Rokudan and at least 30 years of age. |
|
Kyôshi |
A title given to one who is Nanadan or
Hachidan and at least 40 years of age. |
|
Tasshi |
A title given to one who is Kudan and at
least 50 years of age. |
|
Hanshi |
A title given to one who is Jûdan and at
least 60 years of age. |
Ranks
|
Yudansha Ranks |
Mudansha Grades |
|
Shodan |
1st Dan |
Jû Kyû |
10th Kyû |
|
Nidan |
2nd Dan |
Ku Kyû |
9th Kyû |
|
Sandan |
3rd Dan |
Hachi Kyû |
8th Kyû |
|
Yondan |
4th Dan |
Nana Kyû |
7th Kyû |
|
Godan |
5th Dan |
Ro Kyû |
6th Kyû |
|
Rokudan |
6th Dan |
Go Kyû |
5th Kyû |
|
Nanadan |
7th Dan |
Yon Kyû |
4th Kyû |
|
Hachidan |
8th Dan |
San Kyû |
3rd Kyû |
|
Kudan |
9th Dan |
Ni Kyû |
2nd Kyû |
|
Jûdan |
10th Dan |
Ik Kyû |
1st Kyû |
Dôjô Courtesies
|
Anata wa o-genki desu ka? |
How are you? (Your health) |
|
Arigato gozaimasu |
Thank you very much. (More polite) |
|
Arigato |
Thank you |
|
Dô itashimashite |
Not at all. You are welcome. |
|
Dômo arigato gozaimasu |
Thank you very much (most polite form). |
|
Dômo |
Thanks. [Very casual form] |
|
Dôzo |
Please (do this). [Very casual form] |
|
Genki desu, arigato . |
I am fine, thank you. |
|
Gomen-nasai |
Excuse me |
|
Hajime shaste kudasai |
Permission to begin, please. |
|
Konban wa |
Good evening or Hello, when used as a greeting. |
|
Konnichi wa |
Good afternoon. |
|
Kudasai |
Please give me the favor of. [Polite form] |
|
Ohayô-gozaimasu |
Good morning. |
|
Omedeto-gozaimasu |
Congratulations. |
|
Onegai-shimasu |
I humbly request. Please teach me. |
|
Oyasumi-nasai |
Good night. (when going home for the night.) |
|
Sayônara |
Good bye |
|
Shitsurei, shimasu |
Excuse me. Good bye (To a senior). |
Dôjô Commands
|
Hajime |
Begin. |
Hayaku |
Hurry up. (Quickly.) |
|
Ki-o-tsuke |
Attention. Pay attention. |
Matte |
Wait. Stop. |
|
Mawatte |
Turn around. |
Môichido |
One more time. |
|
Mokusô hajime |
Meditation begins. |
Mokusô yame |
Meditation ends. |
|
Naotte |
Return to the Yoi. |
Narande |
Line up. |
|
Ô-tigai ni rei |
Bow to each other. |
Ô-tigai ni tashi |
Face each other. |
|
Rei |
Bow. |
Sensei ni rei |
Bow to the teacher. |
|
Shômen ni rei |
Bow to the front. |
Shomen ni tashi |
Face the front |
|
Suware |
Sit |
Tare |
Stand up. |
|
Yame |
Stop. |
Yasume |
Rest or relax. |
|
Yoi |
Ready |
Yoshi |
Continue |
Iroi - Colors
|
Shiroi |
White |
|
Murasaki |
Purple |
|
Kiiroi |
Yellow |
|
Orenji |
Orange |
|
Aoi |
Blue |
|
Midori |
Green |
|
Chairo |
Brown |
|
Kuroi |
Black |
|
Akai |
Red |
Bango - Numbers
|
Ichi (Sho) |
1 |
Nijû |
20 |
|
Ni |
2 |
Nijuichi |
21 |
|
San |
3 |
Sanjû |
30 |
|
Shi (Yon) |
4 |
Yonjû |
40 |
|
Go |
5 |
Gojû |
50 |
|
Roku |
6 |
Rokujû |
60 |
|
Shichi (Nana) |
7 |
Hyakû |
100 |
|
Hachi |
8 |
Gohyakû |
500 |
|
Ku (Kyû) |
9 |
Sen |
1000 |
|
Ju |
10 |
Gosen |
5000 |
|
Juichi |
11 |
Ichiman |
10000 |
|
Juni |
12 |
Jûman |
100000 |
Body Parts
|
Ago |
Jaw |
Ashi |
Leg or foot |
|
Ashikubi |
Ankle |
Ashiyubi |
Toes |
|
Atama |
Head |
Hana |
Nose |
|
Hara |
Abdomen |
Hiji (Empi) |
Elbow |
|
Hiza |
Knee |
Kami no ke |
Hair |
|
Kao |
Face |
Koshi |
Hips |
|
Kata |
Shoulder |
Kuchi |
Mouth |
|
Kubi |
Neck |
Me |
Eyes |
|
Mimi |
Ears |
Mune (Kyobu) |
Chest |
|
Nodo |
Throat |
Senaka |
Back |
|
Sune |
Shin |
Te |
Hand |
|
Tekubi |
Wrist |
Ude |
Arm |
|
Yubi |
Fingers |
|
|
Body Weapons
|
Haishu |
Back of hand |
Haito |
Ridge hand |
|
Hiraken |
Fore knuckle fist |
Ippon ken |
One knuckle fist |
|
Ippon nukite |
One finger spear |
Josokutei (Koshi) |
Ball of foot |
|
Kakato |
Heel |
Kakutô |
Bent wrist |
|
Ken |
Fist |
Kentsui (Tettsui) |
Hammer Fist |
|
Nakadaka ken |
Middle knuckle fist |
Nihon nukite |
Two finger spear |
|
Nukite |
Hand spear |
Seiken |
Forefist |
|
Shi |
Beak (fingertips) |
Shotei (Teisho) |
Palm heel |
|
Shutô |
Knife Hand |
Sokko (Haisoku) |
Instep |
|
Sokutei |
Bottom of foot |
Sokutô |
Footblade |
|
Tsumasaki |
Tips of toes |
Uraken |
Backfist |
Directions and Actions
|
Age |
Rising, upward |
Ate |
A strike or smash |
|
Hantai |
Opposite |
Harai |
Sweep |
|
Hidari |
Left |
Keri |
Kick |
|
Kiri |
Cut |
Mae |
Front |
|
Migi |
Right |
Nage |
Throw |
|
Naka |
Center, middle |
Nuki |
Pull |
|
Omote |
The front or face of |
Oshi |
Push |
|
Otoshi |
Dropping |
Shita |
Down, below |
|
Soto |
Outside, outward |
Tori |
Grab |
|
Tsuki |
Thrust or punch |
Uchi |
Inside, inward |
|
Uchi |
Strike |
Ue |
Above, upper |
|
Uke |
To receive, block |
Ura |
Behind, the back of |
|
Ushiro |
Back, rear |
Yoko |
Side |
Strikes and Blocks
|
Age Tsuki |
Rising Punch |
Age Uke |
Rising Block |
|
Choku-zuki |
Punch with the leading hand |
Chûdan-uke |
Middle level block. |
|
Gedan-uke |
Lower block |
Jodan-uke |
Upper level block |
|
Gyaku-zuki |
Reverse punch |
Kaku-zuki |
Punch across the front (Naihanchi Kata). |
|
Nukite-zuki |
Spear hand thrust. |
Oi-zuki |
Stepping punch. |
|
Seiken-zuki |
Forefist punch. |
Soto Uke |
Outside, middle block |
|
Tate-zuki |
Vertical fist punch. |
Tomoe-zuki |
A circular block/punch. (Passai kata) |
|
Ude-uke |
Arm block. |
Ura-zuki |
A close punch delivered |
Stances
|
Heisoku-dachi |
Feet together stance. |
Ippon-ashi-dachi |
One legged stance |
|
Kiba-dachi |
Horse stance. (Naihanchi-dachi) |
Kosa-dachi |
Cross legged stance (Kake dachi) |
|
Musubi-dachi |
Attention stance, heels touching, feet open |
Naihanchi-dachi |
Horse stance |
|
Neko-dachi |
Cat leg stance |
San Kaku Dachi |
Triangle Stance |
|
Seisan Dachi |
Front Stance - (Zenkutsu) |
Shizentai-dachi |
Short forward stance |
|
Yoi-dachi |
Ready stance. |
Zenkutsu-dachi |
Forward leaning stance |
Kicks
|
Ashi barai |
Foot sweep |
Ashuke |
Leg block |
|
Deashi-barai |
Front leg sweep |
Fumikomi geri |
A stomping kick |
|
Kansetsu-geri |
Joint kick |
Kekomi |
Kicking outward; a hrust kick. |
|
Keage |
Kicking upward; a snap kick. |
Kinteki-geri |
Groin kick (Kin-geri) |
|
Mae-geri |
Front kick. |
Mawashi-geri |
Roundhouse kick. |
|
Mikazuki-geri |
Crescent Kick |
Nidan-geri |
Double jumping 2 level front kick |
|
Osoto-geri |
Outside sweep; a type of takedown. |
Tobi-geri |
A jump kick. |
|
Ushiro-geri |
A back kick |
Yoko-geri |
Side kick |
Weapons – Kobudô
| Bô
(Rokushaku-bô)
|
Wooden staff ~ 6 feet in length |
|
Bô-jutsu |
Art of the bo |
|
Chizikun Bô |
Two short sticks fastened to the middle finger
with a string. |
|
Chinte |
A bamboo stave, approximately two-foot in length,
strapped to each arm. |
|
Eaku |
A boat oar, used as a weapon. (Also called Kai) |
|
Jô |
A staff 4 feet in length. |
|
Kama |
Sickle; bladed weapon with a wooden handle |
|
Nunchaku |
A wooden flail; Okinawan weapon |
|
Sai |
Trident shaped weapon made of steel |
|
Manji
|
Sai with both ends pointed and with the
forks pointing in opposite directions. |
|
Nunte |
Manji sai attached to the end of a bo; used like
a spear or for entrapment. |
|
Surichin |
A 6ft rope with weighted ends used to twirl and
entangle limbs and weapons. |
|
Tan Bô |
Two short sticks (2ft) used in pairs for striking
and grappling. |
|
Tonfa |
Originally the handle for a grinder; used as a
flail to spin and strike. |
General Terminology
|
Antei |
Balance |
Atemi |
Strike or blow causing pain. |
|
Atemi-jutsu |
Art of vital point striking. |
Atemi-waza |
Vital point striking techniques |
|
Bogu |
Protective armor |
Budo |
Martial ways |
|
Bujutsu |
Martial arts |
Bunkai |
To take apart kata moves |
|
Bushi |
A "warrior" |
Bushido |
Way of the Warrior (Japan). |
|
Bushi no te |
Warrior's hand, old name for Karate. |
Chiisai |
Small, little |
|
Chikama |
Close distance, can strike without stepping |
Chikara |
Strength |
|
Chudan |
Middle level (waist to neck) |
Dai sempai |
The most senior student |
|
Dai |
Major (e.g. Passai-Dai) A prefix for numbers
(e.g. Dai-ichi). |
Dekimashita |
I have done it. |
|
Dekimasen |
I cannot do it. |
Dekimasu |
I can do it. |
|
Dô |
Way, a suffix for an art that is practiced as a
way of life. |
Dô |
Chest protector used in Bogu Kumite |
|
Dôjô kun |
The guiding maxims of a Dojo. |
Dôjô |
"Way place"; training |
|
Fudôshin |
Immovable mind (cannot be distracted). |
FuKyû |
Fundamental |
|
Fumikomi |
An attack step |
Gi |
Karate uniform. |
|
Ge |
"Art", skill or technique |
Gedan |
Lower Area |
|
Gei |
Skilled or Skill |
Giri |
Obligation or duty. |
|
Go |
Hard |
Gokui |
The inner meaning or technique best suited to a
given situation. |
|
Hai |
Yes; signifies agreement with a question |
Hara |
Abdomen; seat of the soul; spiritual strength. |
|
Hiragana |
The Japanese cursive alphabet |
Iie |
No; disagreement to a question |
|
Jiyû-kumite |
Free style kumite, |
Jodan |
Upper |
|
Jû |
Soft; flexible; yielding. |
Jutsu |
"Art"; science. |
|
Kakushide |
Hidden technique |
Kamae |
Combative posture |
|
Kamidana |
The small wooden house on the shelf in front of
the Dojo |
Kamiza |
The Spirit seat (also see, Shinden) |
|
Kanji |
Japanese writing borrowed from Chinese |
Kansetsu |
Joints (of the body) |
|
Kansetsu-waza |
Joint locking or dislocating techniques. |
Karate-Dô |
"Way of Karate" |
|
Karate gakusei |
A karate student |
Karate-ka |
A practitioner of karate |
|
Kata |
Form; a prearranged exercise for individual
practice |
Katakana |
Phonetic alphabet, used for writing foreign words |
|
Keiko |
Practice or study |
Ken Kyû |
Study or Analyze |
|
Kempo |
"Fist method." |
Ki |
Life force, Energy |
|
Kiai |
A focusing of ki; a shout of the spirit |
Kihon |
Basic |
|
Kime |
Focus (of mental or physical energy) |
Kôhai |
One's junior in a Dojo |
|
Kobudô |
Ancient martial ways; the weapons arts of
Okinawa. |
Kobujutsu |
Ancient martial arts. Old name for weapons arts
of Okinawa. |
|
Kogeki |
Attacker (yakusoku kumite) |
Kokoro |
Mind, heart, spirit, will, intention, mood. |
|
Kokyû |
Breath |
Kokyû-chikara |
Internal power, generating power by inhaling |
|
Kote |
Gloves used in Bogu Kumite |
Kote-kitae |
Arm conditioning exercises |
|
Kumite |
Sparring match |
Kundoku |
The native Japanese word for a kanji |
|
Kuzushi |
To destroy the balance of an opponent prior to
throwing |
Kyûsho |
A vital point on the human body. |
|
Kyûsho-jutsu |
Vital point art. An advanced part of Karate that
deals with striking the vital points |
Ma |
Distance |
|
Ma-ai |
Combat engagement distance |
Makiwara |
A wrapped target |
|
Men |
Reinforced head protector used in Bogu Kumite |
Mitsu-tomoe |
The crest of Hachiman(Shinto god of war) which
was adopted as the family crest of Okinawa's ruling dynasty the Sho
family. |
|
Mizu no kokoro |
Mind like water; a calm mind |
Modote |
Return to ready |
|
Mushin |
Without conscious thought; no min |
Nage-waza |
A throwing technique |
|
Naha-te |
A type of Karate that developed around Naha city
under Kanryo Higaonna. The forerunner of Goju ryu Karate |
Nihongo |
Japanese language |
|
Nintai |
Perserverance |
Oboeru |
Memorization |
|
Obi |
A belt. |
Ôkii |
Big, large, |
|
On |
a favor, When someone does you a favor, you are
said to be carrying his on and giri forces you to repay it |
Ondoku |
The Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word
for a kanji |
|
Onna |
Female |
Otoko |
Male |
|
Reigi |
Courtesy |
Romanji |
The system of writing Japanese words with the
English alphabet |
|
Renshû |
Training; repetitive practice of techniques |
Ryû |
A style of an art. A method of passing an art
down through time |
|
Ryûkyû |
The ancient kingdom of Okinawa |
Ryûkyû Kempo |
Ryukyu fist way Old name for Okinawan Karate |
|
RyûTe |
"Ryukyu Hands", Taika Oyata’s karate
system |
Seiza |
Formal sitting posture |
|
Shiai |
A contest. |
Shime |
A choke |
|
Shin |
Same as Kokoro. |
Shinden |
Spirit seat; the front area of the Dojo |
|
Shitahara |
The lower abdomen; the seat of the soul. |
Shô |
Small, minor. (Passai-Sho) |
|
Shomei |
The front area of a Dojo |
Shugyô |
Austere training |
|
Shugyôsha |
A person undergoing intense training |
Shuri-te |
The type of Karate that developed around Shuri
city under Tode Sakugawa |
|
Sôji |
Cleaning up the Dojo (before and after class). |
Suburi |
Slide swing. A sword exercise for developing
motion and striking |
|
Suburitô |
A heavy wooden sword used for Suburi |
Suki |
A momentary gap in concentration; an opening |
|
Sukoshi |
A few, a little bit |
Sukui |
Scooping |
|
Tachi |
A stance (specifically the. position of the lower
body). |
Tachirei |
A standing bow(also called Ritsurei) |
|
Tai |
The physical body |
Tai sabaki |
Body motion |
|
Tai-chikara |
External power; physical strength |
Taiso |
Exercises; martial exercises |
|
Takusan |
A lot |
Tameshiware |
Tests of strength in which boards, bricks and
other objects are broken. |
|
Tanren |
Spiritual forging |
Tatami |
Straw floor mat |
|
Te |
Hand; old name that refers to the original
fighting art that developed in Okinawa. |
Todame |
Forceful or Final Strike |
|
Tôde |
China hand; old name that refers to the art that
developed from the blending of Te and Chinese arts. |
Tôma |
Long distance (more than one step from the
opponent). |
|
Tomari-te |
The type of Karate that developed around Tomari
city under Kosaku Matsumora |
Tomoe |
Comma shaped, half circle |
|
Tsuki-no-kokoro |
Mind like moon. Refers to awareness |
Tsuyoki |
Strong spirit, |
|
Uchikomi |
Step forward and strike. |
Tuite |
Grappling art found in the older forms of Karate |
|
Uchima |
Striking distance (one step from the opponent). |
Uke |
To block; to receive; the receiver of a technique |
|
Ukemi |
The art of falling. |
Uki-ashi |
A floating foot (one that steps lightly). |
|
Undô |
A movement; an exercise, |
Wakarimasen |
I do not understand. |
|
Wakarimasu |
I understand. |
Waza |
A technique. |
|
Yakusoku |
Prearranged |
Yowaki |
Weak spirit. |
|
Yukkuri |
Slowly |
Zanshin |
"Remaining spirit"; perfect finish.
Continuing concentration after a technique. Total awareness |
|
Zarei |
A seated bow. |
|
|
Kata Names
|
Naihanchi Shodan |
Naihanchi Nidan |
Naihanchi Sandan |
|
Tomari Seisan |
Pian Shodan |
Pian Nidan |
|
Pian Sandan |
Pian Yondan |
Pian Godan |
|
Passai |
Kusanku |
Niseshi |
|
Shiho Hapo No Te |
Shiho Hapo Miyo No Te |
|
Kata Techniques
|
Hiji gatame |
Elbow Press |
|
Jodan Gedan atemi |
High-low strike |
|
Te hira gatame |
Palm Press |
|
Ude gatame |
Arm Press |
|
Ude hiki osae ago atemi |
Side arm pull chin strike |
|
Ude hiki osae gatami |
Side pull press |
|
Ude osae atemi keri |
Side block – strike-kick |
|
Ude osae koyubi kyusho atemi |
Side block-small knuckle strike |
|
Ude osae kyusho atemi |
Side block-throat nerve strike |
|