Karate Terms -Extra-

As per your request...

1 = ichi (itch)
2 = ni (knee)
3 = san (sun)
4 = shi (shee)
5 = go (go)
6 = roku (rock)
7 = shichi (shitch)
8 = hachi (hatch)
9 = kyu (cue)
10 = ju (jew)

Then 11 = 10 + 1 = ju ichi
12 = 10 + 2 = ju ni

...And 20 = 2 x 10 = ni ju
21 = (2 x 10) + 1 = ni ju ichi

So 99 = (9 x 10) + 9 = kyu ju kyu
100 = hyaku
101 = 100 + 1 = hyaku ichi
200 = 2 x 100 = ni hyaku

Q: How do you say "911" in Japanese?
A: "119" : That's the emergency call number in Japan! ;-)

Karate Terms 101-C

Darn it, I'm still sick... I hope I can make it to tomorrow night's class. Perhaps I'll feel better by passing this virus to someone else...! (just kidding, of course)


Though I want my students to learn some Japanese terms (those listed in the previous posts), I generally use English words in class so you're not required to learn them. However, there are some terms that are hard to translate, which I recommend you to have basic ideas about:


(From 101-A)

• Kime　極め: Focus / Delivery of force (at the end of technique)
• Ki-ai　気合: Spirited yell (with proper breathing, to enhance whole body/mental integration)
• Ma-ai　間合: Effective distance (not fixed, but rather constantly changing based on the situation, yours and/or opponent's intention, physique, attitude, etc.)

(101-C)

• Tan-den　丹田: Center of body/mass (about an inch below navel, inward toward the spine)
• Kamae　構え: "Ready" posture (including stance and hands position as well as mental readiness)
• Budo　武道: Japanese martial arts aiming at self-improvement through physical training (Judo, Kendo, Aikido, Karate)
• Zan-shin　残心: Remaining mind. After a technique, don't let your mind go off but keep it attentive to the opponent so that if necessary, you can immediately follow-up with another move.
• Kyo　虚: mental and/or physical opening / unreadiness
• Ki　気: mental force (which precedes physical action)

I just added a few to the 101-C above, and this should complete the 101 level karate terms! The 201 level will be more sparring-oriented terms and some advanced techniques, and the 301 level will be the competition rules terminology. Anyway, see you tomorrow!

Karate Terms 101-B

Jo-dan　上段: Face level
Chu-dan　中段: Stomach level
Ge-dan　下段: Groin level

Heian Shodan　平安初段: Heian (peace/calm) Level 1
Gedan-barai　下段払い: Down block
Age-uke　上げ受け: Upper block
Shuto-uke　手刀受け: Knife-hand block
Oi-zuki　追い突き: Step-in punch
Tettsui-uchi　鉄槌打ち: Hammer strike
Zenkutsu-dachi　前屈立ち: Front stance
Kokutsu-dachi　後屈立ち: Back stance

Kizami-zuki　刻み突き: Front-hand punch (short punch / jab)
Gyaku-zuki　逆突き: Reverse punch (counter punch)
Mae-geri　前蹴り: Front kick
Mawashi-geri　廻し蹴り: Roundhouse kick
Yoko-geri　横蹴り: Side kick
Kekomi　蹴込み: Thrust kick
Keage　蹴上げ: Snap kick
Soto-uke　外受け: Outside(-in) block

Karate Terms 101-A

Kata　型: Form
Kihon　基本: Basic
Kumite　組手: Sparring

Tachi (-dachi)　立ち: Stance
Tsuki (-zuki)　突き: Punch
Keri (-geri)　蹴り: Kick
Uke　受け: Block
Uchi　打ち: Strike
Kime　極め: Focus / Delivery of force
Kiai　気合: Spirited yell
Ma-ai　間合: Effective distance

Rei　礼: Bow
Seiza　正座: Kneeling (Japanese formal sitting)
Shomen　正面: Front
Sensei　先生: Teacher / Instructor
Otagai　お互い: Each other
Yame　止め: Stop / Break

...and learn how to count from 1 to 10!