Etiquette & Basics
This page has a list of Beginners' Karate terms.
Dojo: Training Gym
Dojo Kun: martial arts ethics
Gi: Karate Jacket and Trousers
Hai: Yes
Hajime: Begin
Obi: Belt
Osu: Shout of greeting and understanding
Otagai-ni: Greeting to each other (said during bow in and bow out)
Rei: Bow
Seiza: Kneeling position
Sempai: Dojo senior
Sensei: Dojo head teacher or instructor
Shomen: Front of dojo
Yame: Cease activity
Yoi: Ready position
Basic Terms
age uki: rising (upwards) block
chudan: chest area
gedan: groin area
gedan barai: downward block
gohon kumite: 5 step sparring exercise
gyaku tsuki: reverse punch
jodan: face area
kamae - te: ready hands
kata: forms
keage: snap kick
kekomi: thrust kick
kiai: shout emphasising spirit
kiba dachi: straddle (horse riding) stance
kihon: basic exercises
kokutsu dachi: back stance
mae geri: front kick
mawashi geri: roundhouse kick
mawatte: turn around
oi tsuki: lunge punch
shuto uke: knife hand block
soto ude uke: block from outside inwards
uchi ude uke: block from inside outwards
yoko geri keage: side snap kick
yoko geri kekomi: side thrust kick
zenkutsu dachi: forward stance
Counting
ichi: one
ni: two
san: three
shi: four
go: five
rokku: six
shichi: seven
hachi: eight
ku: nine
ju: ten