49 karate terms explained, including kata, kumite, kihon, kiai and zanshin, each with a one-line English meaning.
Almost all karate terminology is Japanese, which is why a first class can feel like a language lesson with kicking. Collected here are the karate terms and meanings a student hears in the first year: the words related to karate ranks and etiquette, the words associated with stances, strikes and kata, and the commands that start and stop everything. The karate glossary at the end gives each one in a single line.
Must-Know Karate Terms, Phrases and Slang:
- Belt
- Dojo
- Gi
- Kata
- Kihon
- Kumite
- Kyu
- Sensei
- Shuto
- Dan
- Heian
- Ippon
- Karateka
- Mawashi geri
- Obi
- Tekki
- Yame
- Zanshin
- Enpi
- Gankaku
- Jion
- Kanku-dai
- Naihanchi
- Seienchin
- Tensho
- Uchi
- Uke
- Waza
- Yoi
- Yuri-ashi
Karate Glossary: Every Term A to Z
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Belt | The colored belt showing rank, from white for a beginner through to black. |
| Dachi | Stance. The word appears at the end of every stance name, as in zenkutsu dachi. |
| Dan | Black belt grade. First dan is the entry, higher dan grades mark decades of practice. |
| Dojo | The training hall. Entering and leaving it with a bow is part of the practice. |
| Dojo kun | The dojo code, a short set of principles recited by the class, often kneeling at the end of training. |
| Enpi | An elbow strike, delivered with the point of the elbow at close range. Also the name of a Shotokan kata. |
| Gankaku | A Shotokan kata whose name means crane on a rock, built around one-legged balance. |
| Geri | Kick. Combined with a direction or shape to name the technique, as in mae geri. |
| Gi | The training uniform: jacket, trousers and belt, cut from heavy cotton. |
| Gyaku zuki | Reverse punch. The punch is thrown with the hand on the same side as the rear leg. |
| Hajime | Begin. The command that starts a kata, a drill or a bout. |
| Heian | The five basic Shotokan kata, taught in order and increasing in difficulty. |
| Ippon | One full point in kumite, awarded for a decisive technique. |
| Jion | A kata named after the Jion temple, taught at intermediate level and known for its strong basics. |
| Kanku-dai | A long kata that opens with the hands raised to frame the sky, from which its name comes. |
| Karateka | Someone who trains in karate, at any grade. |
| Kata | A fixed sequence of blocks, strikes and stances practiced solo against imagined opponents. |
| Kiai | The sharp shout at the moment of a decisive technique, tightening the body and the breath. |
| Kiba dachi | Horse stance. Feet wide, knees bent and pushed out, weight even. |
| Kihon | The basics: individual punches, kicks, blocks and stances drilled on their own. |
| Kime | Focus. The instant of full tension at the end of a technique, then release. |
| Kohai | A student junior to you in the dojo, by grade or by time trained. |
| Kumite | Sparring, from strictly prearranged drills up to free fighting. |
| Kyu | The grades below black belt, counted downward, so a first kyu is one step from shodan. |
| Mae geri | Front kick, driven straight forward off the back or front leg. |
| Makiwara | The padded striking post used to train impact and correct alignment in the wrist and hips. |
| Mawashi geri | Roundhouse kick, swung in an arc and landed with the ball of the foot or the shin. |
| Naihanchi | A traditional kata worked along a straight line in a wide stance, known as Tekki in Shotokan. |
| Obi | The belt itself, tied over the gi and carrying the wearer's rank in its color. |
| Oi zuki | Lunge punch. The punching arm and the stepping leg are the same side. |
| Rei | Bow. Given entering and leaving the dojo, to the instructor and to a partner. |
| Seienchin | A Naha-te kata mixing slow, tense sequences with fast ones, demanding breath control. |
| Seiza | The formal kneeling position used for opening and closing a class. |
| Senpai | A student senior to you in the dojo, who is expected to help those below. |
| Sensei | The instructor. The word means one who has gone before. |
| Shihan | A title for a senior instructor, above sensei, awarded by the style or association. |
| Shuto | Knife-hand. The edge of the open hand used to strike or block. |
| Tekki | The Shotokan name for the Naihanchi kata series, worked sideways in horse stance. |
| Tensho | A Goju-ryu kata of circular open-hand movement, whose name means rotating palms, tied closely to breathing. |
| Tsuki | Punch. Written zuki in compounds, as in gyaku zuki. |
| Uchi | Strike. Covers the striking techniques delivered with knuckles, the hand edge or other surfaces. |
| Uke | Block, or receiving technique. Also the partner receiving the technique in a drill. |
| Waza | Technique. The individual skills of karate, offensive and defensive. |
| Waza-ari | A half point in kumite competition, for a technique that scores but is not decisive. |
| Yame | Stop. The command that halts everything at once, in training and in competition. |
| Yoi | Ready. The command to take the ready stance and prepare to begin. |
| Yuri-ashi | Sliding the feet along the floor to move without lifting them, keeping the stance low and stable. |
| Zanshin | Remaining spirit. Staying alert and ready after the technique is finished. |
| Zenkutsu dachi | Front stance. Front knee bent, back leg straight, weight forward. |
#1 Belt
In karate, belts signify a practitioner’s rank and experience, ranging from white (beginner) to black (expert). As students progress through training, they earn higher-colored belts through grading tests to demonstrate their proficiency.
#2 Dojo
A dojo is a special training place for martial artists to practice and learn karate. The term reflects a space of respect and discipline where the physical and spiritual aspects of martial arts are cultivated.
#3 Gi
The gi is the traditional uniform worn by karate practitioners. Made of durable fabric to withstand rigorous training, it consists of a jacket, pants, and a belt representing the wearer’s rank.
#4 Kata
Kata is a sequence of predetermined movements in karate representing offensive and defensive postures. Practicing kata helps students memorize and perfect techniques and improve their form, timing, and balance.
#5 Kihon
Kihon refers to the basic techniques of karate, including punches, kicks, blocks, and stances. Mastery of kihon is fundamental to karate training, ensuring proper form and effectiveness in more advanced practices.
#6 Kumite
Kumite is the sparring aspect of karate, where practitioners engage in controlled combat to apply techniques. It ranges from pre-arranged drills to free sparring, which tests a karateka’s skill, timing, and strategy.
#7 Kyu
In karate and other Japanese martial arts, “kyu” refers to the ranks before reaching black belt. These are typically denoted by different colored belts, progressing from higher numbers (beginner levels) to lower numbers as one approaches black belt status.
#8 Sensei
A Japanese term used to address or refer to a teacher or instructor in karate. “Sensei” literally means “one who has gone before,” indicating someone who guides students through their martial arts journey based on their greater experience and knowledge.
#9 Shuto
A karate technique involving a knife-hand strike, where the hand is held like a sword and used to chop or block. Shuto is a fundamental move that requires precision and is often used in katas.
#10 Dan
A level of black belt expertise in karate and other martial arts. Ranging from 1st Dan (beginner black belt) to 10th Dan (highest level), achieving a Dan rank symbolizes dedication and mastery.
#11 Heian
Heian refers to a series of five foundational katas in Shotokan karate, each progressively more complex. They are essential for building basic techniques and form for beginners.
#12 Ippon
Meaning “one point,” ippon is a scoring term indicating a full point has been awarded for a decisive technique in kumite competition, which can lead to immediate victory.
#13 Karateka
A practitioner of karate, regardless of skill level. Karateka train in kihon, kata, and kumite, constantly refining technique and pursuing the martial art’s philosophical aspects.
#14 Mawashi geri
This term describes a roundhouse kick, where a karateka strikes with the ball of the foot or shin after swinging the leg in a semicircular motion. Mawashi geri is powerful and widely used in kumite.
#15 Obi
The belt worn with a karate gi (uniform) that signifies the wearer’s rank. The color of the obi indicates the skill level of the practitioner, starting from white for beginners and advancing through colors like yellow, green, blue, brown, and ultimately black for the highest proficiency.
#16 Tekki
A term used in karate referring to a specific series of kata (formal exercise) known for their strong, stable stances and linear movements. Tekki focuses primarily on movements along a straight line, emphasizing balance and lower body strength.
#17 Yame
In karate, “yame” is the command to stop immediately, often used during practice or competition to halt action or attention. It underscores the importance of discipline and control within the dojo.
#18 Zanshin
Zanshin translates to “remaining spirit” and refers to a state of awareness and readiness, even after a technique is executed. It’s a fundamental concept highlighting the continuous mental engagement required throughout karate practice.
#19 Enpi
Enpi, also known as “elbow strike,” is a technique involving the use of the forearm’s point to strike. It exemplifies precision and power, and is integral to both self-defense and forms practice in karate.
#20 Gankaku
Gankaku is a kata in Shotokan karate that symbolizes a crane standing on a rock, focusing on balance and technique. It’s practiced by advanced students who aim to perfect form and poise.
#21 Jion
Jion is a kata whose name suggests a connection to the Buddhist Jion-ji temple. Often taught in the intermediate stage, it helps karate students improve their technique and grasp the essence of the Jion style.
#22 Kanku-dai
Kanku-dai, a representative kata in many karate styles, begins with a distinctive sky-gazing movement that symbolizes looking to the universe. Its techniques highlight strength, vision, and an encompassing awareness of one’s environment.
#23 Naihanchi
Naihanchi, or Tekki, is a traditional karate kata emphasizing lateral movements and strong stances. Practiced in styles like Shorin-ryu and Shotokan, it enhances balance, coordination, and power, simulating close-range combat scenarios.
#24 Seienchin
‘Seienchin’ is a traditional Karate kata with roots in Naha-te karate, demanding both dynamic movement and stable stances, reflecting a blend of hard and soft techniques. It teaches endurance, breath control, and the transfer of power through the body.
#25 Tensho
‘Tensho’ is a kata emphasizing the soft and circular elements of Goju-ryu karate. The name means ‘rotating palms’ and focuses on smooth, flowing movements, combining breathing techniques with hand motions to teach the concept of flexibility in defense.
#26 Uchi
‘Uchi’ translates to ‘strike’ or ‘hit’ and encompasses various striking techniques with different parts of the body. In karate, uchi signifies the execution of precision strikes with knuckles, the side of the hand, or other body parts to specific target areas.
#27 Uke
‘Uke’ refers to ‘receiving’ or ‘blocking’ techniques used to defend against attacks. Practicing uke allows a karateka to redirect or neutralize an opponent’s strike, making it a fundamental component that complements all offensive techniques in karate training.
#28 Waza
‘Waza’ stands for ‘technique’ or ‘skill’ and represents the various offensive and defensive movements or strategies in karate. Mastery of different waza, such as strikes, blocks, and kicks, is key to becoming a well-rounded practitioner.
#29 Yoi
A command used in karate to indicate readiness. When instructed, practitioners assume a ready stance (yoi dachi), preparing mentally and physically for training or combat. It is both a physical and mental preparation cue.
#30 Yuri-ashi
A foot technique used in karate that involves sliding the feet across the floor without lifting them, maintaining a low and stable center of gravity. This technique is used to move smoothly and quickly while staying balanced and ready to either attack or defend.
FAQ
What do you call the lines you have to memorize in karate?
The dojo kun. It is the short code of the dojo, a handful of principles the class recites together, usually kneeling at the end of training. Kata, by contrast, are movements rather than words.
What is the sound karate fighters make called?
The kiai. It is a sharp shout timed with a decisive technique, spelled kiai and pronounced in two syllables. The same shout is called kihap in Taekwondo.
What are your classmates called in karate?
Students senior to you are senpai, students junior to you are kohai. Both are addressed with respect, and the senpai is expected to help the kohai.
What is practicing karate moves called?
Drilling single techniques is kihon. Practicing a fixed sequence of them alone is kata. Applying them against a partner is kumite.
What is the term for winning a karate fight?
A decisive scoring technique is an ippon, a full point. A lesser scoring technique is a waza-ari. The referee stops the action with the command yame.
They divide into ranks and people (kyu, dan, obi, sensei, senpai, karateka), practice (kihon, kata, kumite, waza, kime) and commands (yoi, hajime, yame, rei). The karate glossary above lists each of them.
What are some Karate terms for beginners?
“Belt,” “Dojo,” and “Kata” are some Karate terms beginners should start with. These essentials cover ranking, training space, and choreographed patterns of movements in Karate practice.
What are some funny Karate terms?
While Karate is a respectful martial art, terms like “Mawashi geri” and “Yuri-ashi” can bring a smile due to their quirky pronunciation and unique sounds, representing the lighter side of learning Karate vocabulary.
What is a famous Karate phrase?
“Karate ni sente nashi” is a famous Karate phrase meaning “there is no first attack in Karate.” It emphasizes the defensive and moral nature of Karate, advocating for self-control and peaceful resolution.
