Shotokan Karate Do Association of Tripura

27/12/2025

20/09/2025

Karate body levels

10/08/2025

Karate Terminology



The Japanese terms are used in all Karate dojos all over the world. Here are the meanings of the common terms:



DAN: Black-belt grades.

DOJO: word used for the place of practice of martial arts.

GI (gee): The Karate uniform. In Shotokan Karate a white, cotton gi is worn.

HIKI-TE (hee-kee-tay): The retracting arm of a punching, blocking, or striking technique. Helps rotate the hips and maintain the stable and precise delivery of the technique.

KARATE: “Empty Hand".

KARATEKA: The practitioner of Karate.

KATA: Prescribed sequences of techniques performed with specific rhythm and timing

KI (kee): Mind. Spirit. Energy.

KIAI (kee-ai): A short, loud shout accompanying a sharp, strong technique. Helps release air from the lungs and relax the upper body so that the technique is more effective. Also helps focus mental energy and display spirit.

KIHON (kee-hon): Basic techniques.

KIME (kee-may): Focus of power.

KOHAI (ko-hai): A student junior to oneself.

KYU (kee-u): Grades 8 to 1 - all color belts. Any grade below a black belt.

OBI (o-bee): The Karate belt.

OSU (Oss): Indicates respect, acknowledgement, willingness and readiness to follow.

SEIZA: A proper sitting position used for the formal opening and closing of the class, and whenever the instructor asks students to sit on the side to watch a demonstration of techniques or kata.

SENSEI (sen-say): A teacher. A term reserved for the chief instructor of the dojo, and other high-ranking members.

SEMPAI (sem-pai): A senior student

SHIHAN (shee-han): A formal title meaning master instructor or teacher of teachers. Very few people in the world have achieved this ranking.

SHOMEN (show-men): The designated front wall of a Dojo. Often the place where the picture of our founder, Gichin Funakoshi and flags are displayed.

REI (ray): Bow. A sign of respect, trust, and appreciation. May be done while standing, or while kneeling such as at the beginning and end of each class.

Shomen-ni-Rei: bow to the front of the dojo

Sensei-ni-Rei: bow to the teacher

Otagai-ni-Rei: bow to each other

VARIOUS COMMANDS:

YAME (ya-may): Return to starting position (typically hachiji-dachi)

HAJIME (hajee-may): Begin

KAMAE: Get into position, prepare.

MOKUSO: Close the eyes and meditate.

MATTE (ma-tay): Wait.

MAWATE (mawa-tay): Turn into position

YOI (yoh-ee): Ready (both mentally and physically)

YAME (ya-may): Stop

COUNTING in Japanese:

One: ichi (i-chi)
Two: ni (ni)
Three: san (sa-n)
Four: shi (shi) / yon (yon)
Five: go (go)
Six: roku (ro-ku)
Seven: shichi (shi-chi)
Eight: hachi (ha-chi)
Nine: ku (ku)
Ten: ju (ju-u)

WAZA (Techniques):

Tsuki (tsu-kee) or zuki (zoo-kee): punching

Uke (ou-kay): blocking

Uchi (oo-chee): strike

Keri (ke-ree) or geri (ge-ree): kicking

TARGET AREAS on opponent's body:

Jodan (joh-dan): upper level, includes face, neck, and head area

Chudan (choo-dan): middle level, includes the chest, side chest and back area

Gedan (gay-dan): lower level, the lower trunk area

HIDARI: left

MIGI: right

GYAKU: reverse

AKA: red

SHIRO: white

YOKO: Side.

MAE: front

ZENSHIN: Forward.

USHIRO: back

KEKOMI: thrust

KEAGE: snap

BODY PARTS:

EMPI (em-pee): elbow

HIZA (hee-zah): knee

KAISHO (kay-sho): open hand, such as in shuto-uke

KENTSUI (ken-tschuee): hammer fist (also known as TETTSUI)

SOKUTO (sokoo-toh): edge of foot, such as in side thrust kick

URAKEN (oo-raken): back of fist

SHUTO (shoo-to): outer surface of hand alongside the small finger

HAITO (haee-to): inner surface of hand alongside the thumb

PUNCHES:

JODAN TSUKI: upper level punch

CHUDAN TSUKI: middle level punch

GEDAN TSUKI: lower level punch

CHOKU TSUKI: straight punch

GYAKU TSUKI: reverse punch

KAGI ZUKI: hook punch

HASAMI TSUKI: scissor punch

KIZAMI ZUKI: jab

MAWASHI ZUKI: roundhouse punch

MOROTE ZUKI: U-Punch with both fists simultaneously

TATE ZUKI: punch with fist along vertical plane

URA ZUKI: upper cut punch at close range

YAMA ZUKI: mountain Punch, a U-punch, resembles the character for mountain, thus the name.

BLOCKS:

AGE UKE (ah-gay oo-kay): rising block

UCHI UKE: inside-out block

SOTO UKE: outside block

GEDAN BARAI: lower level block

SHUTO UKE: knife hand block

MOROTE UKE: reinforced (augmented) block

JUJI UKE (joo-jee): X block

KAKIWAKE UKE: X block

MANJI UKE: double block with one arm in gedan barai and the other in uchi uke.

STRIKES:

EMPI UCHI: elbow strike

HAITO UCHI: ridge-hand strike

KENTSUI UCHI: (Or TETTSUI UCHI) hammer fist strike

MAE EMPI: forward elbow strike

MAWASHI EMPI UCHI: roundhouse (circular) elbow strike

OTOSHI EMPI UCHI: dropping elbow strike

TATE EMPI UCHI: rising elbow strike

TATE URAKEN UCHI: vertical back-fist strike

USHIRO EMPI UCHI: elbow strike aiming behind own body

YOKO MAWASHI EMPI UCHI: side elbow strike

NUKITE: stabbing using the extended index finger or both the index and the middle fingers

KICKS:

ASHI BARAI: Foot Sweep

GERI (kicks)

MAE GERI KEAGE: front snap kick

MAE GERI KEKOMI: front thrust kick.

MAE ASHI GERI: front kick with the front leg (KIZAMI GERI)

MAWASHI GERI: roundhouse kick

GYAKU MAWASHI GERI: reverse roundhouse kick

USHIRO MAWASHI GERI: inside-out roundhouse kick

HIZA GERI (hee-za): knee kick

MIKAZUKI GERI (meeka-zooki): crescent kick

TOBI GERI (to-bee): jumping kick

USHIRO GERI (oo-shee-ro): back kick

YOKO GERI KEAGE: side snap kick

YOKO GERI KEKOMI: side thrust kick

YOKO TOBI GERI: flying side kick

FUMIKOMI: stomping kick

STANCES:

DACHI (da-chee): stances

HACHIJI DACHI (ha-chee-jee): natural stance, feet about one shoulder width apart, toes pointing slightly outward

HEISOKU DACHI: informal attention stance. Feet together, toes pointing straight forward

ZENKUTSU DACHI (zen-koo-tsoo): front stance

KIBA DACHI (kee-ba): horse stance

KOKUTSU DACHI (ko-koo-tsoo): back stance

FUDO DACHI (foo-do): immovable stance, a cross between front and back stance (SOCHIN DACHI)

SANCHIN DACHI (san-cheen): hour-glass stance

HANGETSU DACHI (han-gay-tsoo): "half-moon" stance

GANKAKU DACHI (gan-ka-koo): crane stance

KOSA DACHI: crossed-leg stance

SHIKO DACHI (shee-ko): square stance

KUMITE (koumi-tay) Sparring:

GOHON KUMITE: five step basic sparring

SANBON KUMITE: three step basic sparring

IPPON KUMITE: one step basic sparring

JIYU IPPON KUMITE: one step free sparring (semi-free sparring)

JUI KUMITE: free sparing

STRATEGIES:

GO NO SEN: allow the opponent to attack first so as to open up targets for counterattack

INASU: avoid an on-coming attack by removing your body from the line of attack

SEN NO SEN: attack at the exact moment that the opponent attacks

SEN SEN NO SEN: attack before the opponent attacks

TAI SABAKI: shift to remove your body from the line of attack

10/08/2025

Low (Level) – Gedan (sounds like Geh-dan)
Mat (Practice/Training Mat) – Tatami (sounds like Ta-ta-me)
Meditate – Mokuso
Middle (Level) – Chudan (sounds like Choo-dan)
One More Time – Mo Ichi Do (sounds like Moe E-chee Doe)
No – Iie (sounds like E-ay)
No Mind (State of “No Mind”) – Mushin
Please – Dozo (sounds like Doe-zoh)
Practitioner of Karate – Karateka
Pulling Hand (brining hand back to ready position) – Hikite
Punch – Tsuki or Zuki (sounds like Zoo-key)
Push On Through Difficulties – Oss or Osu. Nevertheless, this term used in many different ways and is often used by non-Japanese Karate students for “Thank you”, “I understand”, etc. Oss (Osu) is a kind of respectful catch-all phrase. The meaning of Oss (Osu) can vary greatly between Karate schools and styles.
Right – Migi (sounds like Mee-gee)
School (Martial Arts) – Dojo (sounds like Doe-Joe)
Senior Student – Senpai or Sempai (sounds like Sen-pie)
Shout or Yell – Kiai (sounds like Key-eye)
Side – Yoko (sounds like Yoh-koh)
Snap – Keage
Sparring – Kumite (sounds like Coo-meh-tay)
Stance – Dachi (sounds like Dah-chee)
Stop – Yame (sounds like Yah-may)
Strike – Uchi (sounds like Oo-chee)
Sweep – Barai (sounds like Baa-rye)
Teacher/Instructor – Sensei (sounds like Sen-say)
Technique – Waza (sounds like Waa-Zaa)
Thank You (Formal) – Domo Arigato (sounds like Doe-moe Ah-ree-gah-toe)
Thank You (Informal) – Domo (sounds like Doe-moe)
Throat – Nodo (sounds like No-doe)
Throw – Nage
Thrust – Kekomi
Turn Around – Mawatte (sounds like Ma-wa-tay)
Unarmed Combat – Taijutsu
Uniform – Gi (sounds like Ghee)
Upper (Level) – Jodan (sounds like Joe-dan)
Void or State of No Mind – Mushin
Yes – Hai (sounds like Hi)
You – Anata (sounds like Ah-na-ta)

10/08/2025

Karate Terms & Commands – Japanese to English

Anata – You
Anza – Sitting position, cross legged
Ashi – Foot
Ashi-Kubi – Ankle
Atama – Head
Barai – Sweep
Bunkai – Kata Technique Application
Chudan – Middle (Level)
Dachi – Stance
Dojo – School (Karate)
Domo – Thank You (Informal)
Domo Arigato – Thank You (Formal)
Dozo – Please
Embusen or Enbusen – This is the term used to refer to the spot where a kata begins. In addition, nearly all kata start and end on exactly the same Embusen point.
Empi or Enpi – Elbow
Empi-Uchi or Enpi-Uchi – Elbow Strike
Gedan – Low (Level)
Geri or Keri – Kick
Gi – Uniform
Hai – Yes
Hajime – Begin/Start
Harau – Sweeping Techniques
Hidari – Left
Hikite – Pulling Hand (bringing hand back to ready position)
Hiza – Knee
Iie – No
Jodan – Upper (Level)
Kakato – Heel
Karateka – Practitioner of Karate
Kata – Form or Pattern
Keage – Snap
Kekomi – Thrust
Keri or Geri – Kick
Ki – Type of intrinsic energy. Known as Qi or Chi in Chinese martial arts.
Kiai – Shout
Kihon – Basic Techniques
Kime – Focus
Kiotsuke – Attention
Kokyu Ho – Breathing exercises
Kumite – Sparring
Mae – Front
Mawatte – Turn Around
Migi – Right
Mo Ichi Do – One More Time
Mokuso – Meditate
Mushin – Void or State of No Mind
Nage – Throw
Neko – Cat (i.e. Neko Ashi Dachi = Cat Foot Stance or Cat Stance)
Nodo – Throat
Obi – Belt
Oss or Osu – Push On Through Difficulties. Nevertheless, this term used in many different ways and is often used by non-Japanese Karate students for “Thank you”, “I understand”, etc. Oss (Osu) is a kind of respectful catch-all phrase. The meaning of Oss (Osu) can vary greatly between Karate schools and styles.
Rei – Bow
Sayonara – Goodbye
Senpai or Sempai – Senior Student
Sensei – Teacher/Instructor
Seiza – Kneel
Seiza Waza – Kneeling Techniques
Shuto – Knife Hand
Tatami – Practice/Training Mat
Te – Hand
Tsuki or Zuki – Punch
Uke – Block
Ushiro – Back
Watashi – I (Me)
Waza – Technique
Yame – Stop
Yoko – Side
Zuki or Tsuki – Punch

10/08/2025

kARATE ETIQUETTE & COMMANDS
A list of karate commands and phrases used in the “Dojo” a training hall during class training sessions

ETIQUETTE & COMMANDS

DOJO: Training Hall

GI: Training Suit

KARATEKA: Student of Karate

SEMPI: Ones Senior

SENSEI: Instructor

EMBERCEN: Please line up

NORE: Prepare to bow

SEIZA: Kneel down

MOKOSO: Meditating

SENSEI NI REI: Class bows to Instructor and Instructor bows to class

OTAGAI NI RE: Class bows to the Dojo and to those assembled

KIRITSU: Stand up

YO-OI: Ready stance

HAJIME: Begin

YAMAE: Finish, return to Yo-oi

TSUKI, PUNCHING TECHIQUES

KAGIZUKI: Hook

TOBIKOMIZUKI: Lead jab

TOBIGYAKUZUKI: Reverse jab

NAGASHIZUKI: Angle, slipping jab

AGEZUKI: Upper cut

YAMAZUKI: Over head

JUNZUKI: Lunge

GYAKUZUKI: Reverse lunge

KERIWAZA KICKING TECHIQUES

MAEGERI: Front kick

USHIRO GERI: Back kick

MAWASHI GERI: Angle kick

SOTO MIKAZUKI GERI: Crescent kick

FUMIKOMI: Stamping kick

SURIKOMI GERI: Low level sweep kick

HIZA GERI: Knee strike

SOKUTO GERI: Side kick

STRIKES, PARRYS AND DEFLECTIONS

JODAN UKE: Upper strike

SOTO UKE: Outer strike

UCHI UKE: Inner strike

GEDAN UKE: Lower strike

SUKUI UKE: Scooping, deflection

OSAEUKE: Pressing

NAGASHI UKE: Slipping, brushing

KAKE UKE: Catching, grasping

MAWASHI UKE: Circular deflection

SHUTO UKE: Knife hand strike

EMPI: Elbow

ATEWAZA: Combination elbows

TATE EMPI: Vertical elbow

OTOSHI EMPI: Dropping elbow

MAWASHI EMPI: Round elbow

YOKO EMPI: Sideward elbow

USHIRO EMPI: Backward elbow

MAE EMPI: Front elbow

STRIKING AREA OF THE HAND

SEIKEN: Normal fist ¾ turn

URAKEN: Back fist

TETTSUI: Hammer fist

IPPONKEN: Forefinger fist

NAKADAKA

IPPONKEN: Middle finger fist

OYAYUBI: With thumb fist

HIRAKEN: Flat fist, use of middle joints

KOKEN: Upper part of the wrist

KEIKO: Chickens beak, tips of fingers pressed together

SHUTO: Outer knife hand

HAITO: Inner knife hand

NUKITE: Spear hand

SHOTE: Palm hand

HAISHU: Back hand

STANCES
ZENKUTSUDACHI Forward stance (used with front hand)

GYAKUZUKIDACHI Forward stance (used with back hand)

NEKOASHI HANMI: Half facing cat stance

GYAKU NEKOASHI: Reverse cat stance

SHIKO DACHI: Horse stance

SHIZENTAI: Natural relaxed stance

SANCHIN DACHI: Small circular stance

NAIFANCHI DACHI: Triangular toes on line

TATAE SEISHAN: Vertical, on line

YOKO SEISHAN: Horizontal, on line

MUSUBI DACHI: Attention, feet form v

NOTTSUKKOMI: Leaning forwards

SAGIASHI DACHI: One legged stance

KOKUTSU DACHI: Weight on the back leg

KOSADACHI: Cross leg stance

HIDARISHIZENTAI: Left natural stance

MIGISHIZENTAI: Right natural stance

HEISOKUDACHI: Closed toe stance

FUDO DACHI: Low drop stance

DIRECTIONAL

MAE: Front

USHIRO: Back

YOKO: Side

AIHANMI: Same side forward

GYAKUHANMI: Opposite side forward

SURIKOMI: Step with the back foot

TAOSHIWAZA: Take down

ASHIBARI: Foot sweeps

KUMITE: Exchange techniques

IPPONKUMITE: One step pairs work

KIHON: Basic

YAKOSUKO: Prearranged

IRIMI: Entering

KAWASHI: Avoiding

NOGARE: Escaping

TAISABAKI: Body skills

MUSHIN: Beginners mind

TEGUMI: Hand drilling

KATA: Prearranged patterns

KENSETSU: Locks

UKEMI: Break fall

TUITE: Grappling

KIMAE: Focus of technique

ATEMI: Vital point striking

KIAI: Focused of spirit, breath, technique

RENKAI: Combinations

ZANSHIN: Awareness

HEI JO SHIN: Keep your usual mind

NI SENTINASHI: There is no first attack

10/08/2025

TAI