As with any other martial art form Shotokan karate has its own unique terminology, and even though Shotokan is taught all over the world, and in many different languages, it is still common in most dojos to give some commands in Japanese.

The following list of Japanese words and their English counter part is by no means definative, and students are encouraged to view this list as merely a starting point in their effort to further their knowledge of all that Shotokan Karate has to offer: -

Numbers

Ichi One
Ni Two
San Three
Shi Four
Go Five
Roku Six
Shichi Seven
Hachi Eight
Kuu Nine
Juu Ten

Stances

Shizentai Ready stance
Zenkutsu-dachi Front stance
Koh-kutsu-dachi Back stance
Kiba-dachi Horse stance
Neko-ashi-dachi Cat’s leg stance
Sochin-dachi/Fudo-dachi “Immovable” stance
Sanchin-dachi “Hourglass” stance
Hangetsu-dachi “Half moon” stance

Arm Attacks

Tsuki Punch
Oi-tsuki Lunge punch
Gyaku-tsuki Reverse punch
Kizami-tsuki Jab punch
Nukite Spear-hand
Ura-ken Back Fist
Empi Elbow

Leg Attacks

Keri/Geri Kick
Mae-geri Front (snap) kick
Mawashi-geri Round house kick
(Yoko-geri) Kekomi Side thrust kick
(Yoko-geri) Keage Side snap kick
Ushiro Geri Back kick

Target Areas

Jo-dan Head/Face/”upper” level
Chu-dan Stomach/”middle” level
Ge-dan Groin/”lower” level

Blocks

Age-uke Rising block
Soto-ude-uke Outside block
Uchi-ude-uke Inside block
Ge-dan barai Lower block/”lower level sweep”
Shuto-uke Knife-hand block
Nagashi Uke Deflecting block

Additional Vocabulary

Shiro White
Ashi Leg
Choku Straight
Co-hai Junior Student
Dojo Training Hall (literally “Way-place”)
Hajime Begin/start
Hid-ari Left
Ken Fist
Kiai Spirit shout
Kumite Sparring
Mae Front
Migi Right
Moku-so “Quiet meditation”
Obi Belt
Rei Bow
Seiza Kneeling (literally “correct sitting”)
Sempai Senior student
Aka Red
Ta-te Vertical/Upright
Ushiro Back
Yameh Stop
Yohi Ready/Attention
Yudansha Black-belt grades

Pronunciation

All vowels are short, as follows:

“a” as in “father”
“e” as in “bet”
“i” as in “teen” but shorter
“o” as in “boat” but shorter
“u” as in “shoot” but shorter

Notes

Consonants always take their hard sounds. Therefore “Karate-Gi” (karate suit) is pronounced “Gee”.

The hyphens are added to separate the syllables clearly and shouldn’t be paused