Basic Terminology

Here is some basic non-fighting karate terminology. For the fighting terminology, please refer to the grading syllabi. Also, a great martial arts dictionary can be found on this web site: http://www.blackbeltmag.com/dictionary/ .

We try to keep our use of Japanese terminology to a minimum. Neither Helena or I  speak any Japanese and we would be doing the language a real injustice if we tried. So other than the names of the drills, techniques and kata, the following is all you will need:

 
Counting to 10:
Ichi - one
Ni - two
San - three
Shi - four
Go - five
Roku - six
Shichi - seven
Hachi - eight
Ku - nine
Ju - ten
 
Opening and closing sessions
Shugyo - practice time (line-up)
Gesuki - Attention
Seiza - correct sitting
Mokusoh - quiet thought
Yame - stop
Kiritsu - stand up
 
Other
Gi - karate suit
Hajime - begin
Kyu - grade
Dan - rank
 

Back