| Term | Definition |
| Age | Rising / While raising |
| Ago | Chin / Jaw |
| Bunkai | disassembly, decomposition, analysis, application |
| Chudan | Middle (referring to mid-level) - the waist to below the shoulders. |
| Chudan Mawashi Geri | Middle Level (torso) roundhouse kick |
| Chudan Tsuki | Middle Level Punch |
| Dachi (Tachi) | Stance (positioning of the body) - musubi-dachi, kiba-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi, sanchin-dachi, kokutsu-dachi, and neko-ashi-dachi |
| Dan | Degree (advanced rank), level, step, grade |
| Do-Gi | Karate uniform |
| Dojo | A place where martial arts are practiced. "place of the way" - a space dedicated to learning and personal growth in martial arts. Training hall. |
| Empi | Refers to the way the arm is used in certain techniques, emphasizing flexibility, fluidity, and a whip-like motion. |
| Ganmen | Face |
| Gedan | Lower (referring to low-level stance or strike) - from the belt and below. |
| Gedan Barai | Lower block |
| Gedan Uke | Lower block |
| Geri (Keri) | Kick (striking with the legs) |
| Gi | Karate uniform = dogi = three parts – a jacket (uwagi), pants (shitabaki) and a belt (obi) |
| Gyako | Reverse |
| Gyaku Tsuki | Reverse punch |
| Hajime | Begin (command to start) |
| Hidari | Left |
| Higi | Refers to the anatomical joint of the elbow |
| Higi Age Ago Uchi | Strike with elbow rising / While raising to Chin / Jaw |
| Higi Jodan Uchi | Uppercut / Strike with elbow to the cheek |
| Higi Oroshi Uchi | Strike with elbow descending / While going down |
| Hikite | Pulling hand (The retracting hand in karate techniques, used to generate power, maintain balance, and aid in defense.) |
| Hiza Geri | Knee kick |
| Hizo Uchi | Strike to side of the stomach / spleen |
| Ikkyodo | One continuous movement or A single action |
| Jodan | Upper (referring to high-level stance or strike) - the shoulders and above. |
| Jodan Tsuki | Upper Level Punch |
| Jodan Uke | Upper block |
| Kaishu | Open hand (as opposed to a closed fist) - (kai) — Open; (Shu) — Hand |
| Kamae | “base”, “pose” or “posture” - a posture and state of mind and represents a defensive “on-guard” position or self-defense posture. |
| Kamaete | Get ready or "Assume position" |
| Kansetsu Geri | Knee joint kick |
| Karate | empty hand, symbolizing self-defense without weapons. |
| Kata | Form (pre-arranged pattern or sequence of movements) - Contain the fundamental principles and concepts of Karate like stances, footwork, punches, kicks, blocks, holds, and throws |
| Keri (Geri) | Kick (striking with the legs) |
| Kiage = Ki age | Rising (Ki = intention, inclination) |
| Kiai | Spirit shout (vocal exclamation used to focus energy) |
| Kiba Dachi | Horse back riding stance |
| Kihon | Fundamental techniques and principles |
| Kin | Groin |
| Kin Geri | Groin kick |
| Kiotsuke | Stand upright, focus, and be mentally prepared for the next instruction. |
| Kohai | Junior student |
| Komi | Forward |
| Kugite | A command meaning "with pauses" or "by count." Used in karate training to instruct students to perform movements step by step, waiting for the instructor's count before progressing. Commonly applied in kata practice and kihon training to refine technique and precision. |
| Kumite | Sparring (practice with a partner) - “grappling hands” |
| Mae | Front (as in Mae Geri — front kick) - front, before. |
| Mae Geri | Front snap kick |
| Mae Kiage | Front upper kick with no knee snap |
| Mawashi | Circular (as in Mawashi Geri — roundhouse kick) |
| Mawashi Geri | Roundhouse kick |
| Mawashi Jodan Uchi | Round/Circular strike to the neck/head |
| Mawashi Uke Gyakyo Tsuki | Roundhouse block, reverse punch |
| Mawatte | Command meaning "Turn" - (mawa) — Turn, Rotate: (te) — Command Form |
| Migi | Right |
| Migi Zenkutsu-Dachi | Forward leaning stance, Right (side) |
| Miwashi | See: Mawashi |
| Mokuso | Silent meditation before and after training |
| Morote Uke | Two-Handed Inside Block |
| Nigiri | Gripping or holding something firmly |
| Obi | Belt worn to indicate rank |
| Onegaishimasu | Please or "l request your guidance" |
| Oroshi | Descending |
| Ushiro Geri | Back kick |
| Ushiro Kin Geri | Groin kick |
| Osu | "to Endure". It means patience, determination, appreciation, respect and perseverance. - "oshi shinobu" means "to persevere whilst being pushed" |
| Rei | Bow (gesture of respect) - Ritsurei (standing), Zarei (seated) |
| Ritsurei | See Rei |
| Sai | Ability, talent, 3-pronged knife-like weapon |
| Sai Uchi | Last strike ?? |
| Sakotsu | Clavicle / Collarbone |
| Sakutso | See: Sakotsu |
| Seiken | Correct fist (standard fist used in striking) |
| Seiken Ago Uchi | Fist strike to the chin |
| Seiza | Proper sitting posture (kneeling position) |
| Senpai | Senior student |
| Sensei | Teacher or instructor |
| Shihan | Master instructor |
| Shita Tsuki | Flipped fist strike to the middle section |
| Shitsureishimas | Excuse me or "l am being rude" |
| Shomen | Front (direction or facing forward) |
| Shuto | Knife-hand - Sword |
| Shuto Ganmen Uchi | Knife hand strike to the face |
| Shuto Hizo Uchi | Shuto strike to the spleen/abdomen |
| Shuto Sakutso Uchi | Shuto down strike to the collarbone |
| Shuto Sakutso Uchi Komi | Shuto forward strike to the collarbone |
| Shuto Uchi Uchi | Shuto outward strike to the temple or neck |
| Shuto Uke | Knife-hand block |
| Sono | this, that, the |
| Soto Mawashi Geri | Roundhouse kick with no knee snap inward |
| Soto Uke | Block - Middle section from outside to inside |
| Tachi (Dachi) | Stance (positioning of the body) |
| Taikyoku | Game |
| Tsuki | Punch (thrusting technique) |
| Uchi | Strike ( particularly involving controlled impact using hands, elbows) |
| Uchi Mawashi Geri | Roundhouse kick with no knee snap outward |
| Uchi Uke | Block - Middle section from inside to outside |
| Uke | Receive = a Block (defensive movement) |
| Uraken Ganmen Uchi | Reverse fist / Back hand strike to the face |
| Ushiro | Back/rear (as in Ushiro Geri — back kick) - behind |
| Yame | Stop (command to stop) |
| Yoi | Ready position; command meaning "Prepare" |
| Yoko | Side (as in Yoko Geri — side kick) |
| Yoko Geri | Side kick |
| Zarei | Sitting bow (bow performed from a seated position) |
| Zenkutsu | Forward leaning stance |