Karate Terminology Explained

   More words & terms...


 The training vocabulary


As a beginner, instructions will be given to you in an easy-to-understand manner. However, as your training progresses you will start to hear various japanese words which are basically instructions telling you what to do. Additionally, you'll also hear a variety of phrases that are used to describe certain things. It's a good idea to get used to this. That way, over time, just a few words or even a single phrase from the class instructor will be all that you need to tell you what you should be doing next.

General Terms

Sensei
Gi ('gee' as in 'gear')
Kihon
Ki-ai (Key-eye)
Kime
Rei (Ray)
Yoh-i
Yame
Yasume
Maware/Mawatte
Hajime
Mokusoh
Dojo [doh-joh]
Dojo kun
Seiza
Sempai

Principle class instructor/Master/Teacher
Training uniform
Basic(s)
'Spirit focus'/A focusing yell
'Decision'/Focus
Bow
'Get ready'
Stop
Rest, Relax
Turn
Begin
Quiet meditation
The place where you train
Dojo precepts (commandments)
Proper sitting/kneeling
Senior student