Rank & Titles
Sensei – Instructor. Means ‘one who came before’, used to indicate a fully capable teacher
Senpai/Sempai – Mentor or Senior, often used to indicate an assistant instructor
Dan – Black Belt level
Kyu – Coloured Belt level
Important Terms
Karate – Empty hand
Karate-ka – Student of Karate
Shotokan – Hall of pine waves
Dojo – Place of learning
Kihon – Basics
Kumite – Sparring
Kata – Form
Dogi – Suit
Obi – Belt
Tatami – Dojo mat
Kiai – Martial shout
Instructions/Reponses
Hajime – Go
Yame – Stop
Rei – Bow
Seiza – Kneel
Yoi – Get ready
Hai – Yes
Iie – No
Ossu / Oss – An acknowledgement (no literal transaltion)
Jodan – High section
Chudan – Middle section
Gedan – Low section
Numbers
Ichi – One
Ni – Two
San – Three
Shi / Yon – Four
Go – Five
Roku – Six
Shichi / Nana – Seven
Hachi – Eight
Kyu – Nine
Juu – Ten
Common Techniques
Zuki – Punch
Kisami-zuki – Front hand punch
Gyaku-zuki – Reverse punch
Oi-zuki – Stepping punch (back hand)
Geri – Kick
Mae-geri – Front kick
Mawashi-geri – Round house kick
Yoko-geri-keage – Side snap kick
Yoko-geri-kekomi – Side thrust kick
Ushiro-geri – Spinning back kick
Uke – Block
Age-uke – Rising block
Soto-uke – Outside block
Uchi-uke – inside block
Gedan-barai – Downward block
Shuto-uke- Knife hand block
Empi-uchi – Elbow strike
Nukite – Knife hand strike
Stances
Dachi – Stance
Hachihi-dachi – Natural stance
Zenkutsu-dachi – Front stance
Kokutsu-dachi – Back Stance
Renoji-dachi – L-Stance
Heisoku-dachi – Feet together stance
Kiba-dachi – Horse-riding stance
Shiko-dachi – Straddle leg stance (Sumo stance)