Stances
Zenkutsu dachi – front stance
Han Zenkutsu Dachi – half front stance
Gyaku Zenkutsu Dachi – reverse front stance
Shiko Dachi – horse stance
Neko Ashi Dachi – cat stance
Naihanchi Dachi – inside tension stance
Kosa Dachi – cross leg stance
Kokutsu Dachi – back stance
Uchi Hachiji Dachi – ready stance
Heiko Dachi – Parallel stance (shoulder width)
Su Dachi – broken or pidgeon-toed stance
Renoji Dachi – fighting stance
Musubi dachi – informal attention stance
Blocks
Uke – block
Jodan Uke – high block
Chudan Uke – middle block
Gedan Uke – low block
Gedan Barrai – low sweeping block
Shuto Uke – knife hand block
So Uke (or Morote Uke) – augmented block
Juji Uke – X block
Kake-Te – hook hand block
Kentsui Uke – hammerfist block
Kicks
Geri – kick
Mae Geri – front kick
Yoko Geri – side kick
Mawashi Geri – roundhouse kick
Ushiro Geri – back kick
Mikazuki Geri – crescent kick
Kake Geri – hook kick
Kekomi – thrust kick to knee
Kin Geri – groin kick with instep
Mae Tobi Geri – jump front kick
Strikes
Uchi – strike
Zuki – punch
Choku-Zuki – straight punch with lead hand
Gyaku-Zuki – reverse punch
Shuto Uchi – knife hand strike
Nukite – spear hand
Uraken Uchi – backfist strike
Kentsui Uchi – hammerfist strike
Empi Uchi – elbow strike
Haito Uchi – ridgehand
Shotei Uchi – palm heel strike
Ippon Ken – one finger knuckle
Nakadaka Ippon Ken – center finger knuckle
Sashite – combined block and strike
General
Budo – martial way
Bunkai – application of kata
Bushi – Japanese warrior
Bushido – way of the warrior
Dan – Rank system for black belts
Dojo – karate school (literally “the place of the way”)
Gi – karate uniform
Hai – yes
Hajime – begin
Hiki-te – The retracting (chambering) arm during a technique. It gives the balance of power to the forward moving technique. It can also be used as a pulling technique after a grab, or a strike backward with the elbow.
Karate – empty hand
Karate-do – way of karate
Karateka – practitioner of karate
Kata – form
Kiai – exhalation and shout, to release and focus energy
Kihon – basic
Kime – focus of power
Kiotsuke – attention
Kobudo – Okinawan weapons practice
Kumite – sparring
Kyu – rank system for below black belt
Obi – belt
Osu – “I will try my best.” also used to show respect, enthusiasm.
Rei – Bow
Seiza – formal kneeling position
Sempai – senior student or assistant instructor
Shihan – master instructor
Sensei – teacher
Shomen – front of dojo
Tobi – jump
Waza – technique
Yame – stop
Yoi – ready
Yudansha – black belt holder (any level)
Jodan – upper
Chudan – middle
Gedan – lower