Terminology

Counting

In order to count up to 99, all you need to know is the Japanese terms for 1 through 10.

  • one = ichi
  • two = ni
  • three = san
  • four = shi (or yon)
  • five = go
  • six = roku
  • seven = shichi (or nana)
  • eight = hachi
  • nine = ku
  • ten = ju

Above ten, we would say something similar to "10 and 2" to stand for "12." Therefore,

  • 11 = ten and one = ju ichi
  • 12 = ten (and) two = ju ni
  • 13 = ten (and) three = ju san
  • 14 = ten (and) four = ju shi or ju yon
  • 15 = ten (and) five = ju go
  • 16 = ten (and) six = ju roku
  • 17 = ten (and) seven = ju shichi or ju nana
  • 18 = ten (and) eight = ju hachi
  • 19 = ten (and) nine = ju ku

For numbers from 20 through 99, you would say something like "3 tens and 6" to mean "36." Therefore,

  • 36 = "3 tens and 6" = san ju roku
  • 43 = "4 tens and 3" = yon ju san
  • 71 = "7 tens and 1" = nana ju ichi
  • 99 = "9 tens and 9" = ku ju ku

Counting higher is basically the same.

  • 100 = hyaku
  • 1000 = sen
  • 10000 = man

So,

  • 101 is "hundred (and) one" = hyaku ichi
  • 201 is "two hundred (and) one" = ni hyaku ichi
  • 546 is "five hundred (and) four tens (and) six" = go hyaku yon ju roku
  • 3427 = san zen yon hyaku ni ju nana (or shichi) (note that "sen" becomes "zen" after a voiced consonant line "n")
  • 23456 = ni man san zen yon hyaku go ju roku

Some anomalies:

  • Use "shi" for "four" only in the single digit column. So, you can use "shi" or "yon" in 3654, but use "yon" for 40, 400, 4000, etc.
  • Use "shichi" for "seven" only in the single digit column. So, you can use "shichi" or "nana" in 9607, but use "nana" for 70, 700, 7000, etc.
  • 600 = roppyaku (not "roku hyaku")
  • 800 = happyaku (not "hachi hyaku")
  • 8000 = hassen (not "hachi sen")

General

Ashi sabaki:
Foot movement
Chudan:
Middle area
Dan:
Literally translated as "man." Used in the dojo to mean "black belt rank."
Doitashimashite:
You're welcome
Dojo:
Training hall
Domo Arigato:
Thank you very much
Gedan:
Lower area
Gi:
Training uniform
Go:
Hard
Goju-ryu:
Hard/Soft style
Hajime:
Begin
Hanshi:
Grand Master. 9th and 10th degree black belt in USA Goju more info
Hidari:
Left
Ibuki:
A hoarse, heavy, noisy breathing pattern that involves contracting the muscles in an isometric fashion while breathing out strongly through the mouth. A noise is created by tightening the throat to provide resistance to the exhale.
Ippon:
Point in sparring match
Jiyu-Kumite:
Free style sparring
Jodan:
Upper area
Ju:
Soft
Kako:
Ready position
Karate:
Empty hand
Karateka:
One who practices karate
Kata:
Choreographed patterns of movements
Kiai:
Vocal expulsion of air and power
Kihon:
Basic movements
Kime:
Mental concentration
Kyoshi:
Literally translated as "wizard". 6th, 7th and 8th degree black belt in USA Goju. more info
Kyu:
Literally translated as "boy." Used in the dojo to mean "any rank below black belt."
Makiwara:
Punching board
Mawatte:
Turn
Migi:
Right
Mukutso:
Meditate
Obi:
Belt more info
Onegai shimasu:
Please teach me
Osu:
Yes, alright, good, hello, goodbye, well done and more. more info
Rei:
Bow
Renshi:
Literally translated as "expert". 4th and 5th degree black belt in USA Goju. more info
Sempai:
Assistant teacher
Sensei:
Instructor
Shihan:
Master
Shomen:
Front
Tai sabaki:
Body movement
Tameshiwara:
Breaking of objects such as boards or bricks
Yame:
Stop
Yoi:
Ready

Stances — Dachi

Heiko-dachi:
Natural stance
Kako-dachi:
Ready stance
Kiba-dachi:
Horse stance
Kiosuke:
Attention
Koketsu-dachi:
Back stance
Neko-ashi-dachi:
Cat stance
Sagi-ashi-dachi:
Crane stance
Sanchin-dachi:
Hourglass stance
Sayza:
Kneeling position
Shiko-dachi:
Straddle horse stance
Zen-kutsu-dachi:
Front forward leaning stance

Block Techniques — Uke Waza

Age Uke:
Rising block
Gedan Barai:
Downward sweeping block
Koken Uke:
Wrist block
Mawashi Uke:
Roundhouse block
Morote Uke:
Double forearm block
Soto Uke:
Outside forearm block
Uchi Uke:
Inside forearm block

Hand Techniques — Te Waza

Age Zuki:
Rising punch
Awase Zuki:
U-punch
Empi Uchi:
Elbow strike
Gyaku Zuki:
Reverse punch
Haito Uchi:
Ridge-hand strike
Koken Uchi:
Wrist strike
Nukite Uchi:
Finger pierce strike
Shotei Uchi:
Palm-heel strike
Shuto Uchi:
Knife-hand strike
Tettsui Uchi:
Hammerfist strike
Uraken Uchi:
Backfist strike

Kicking Techniques — Keri Waza

Ashi Barai:
Foot sweep
Fumikomi Geri:
Stomping kick
Hiza Geri:
Knee kick
Mae Geri:
Front kick
Mawashi Geri:
Roundhouse kick
Tobi Mae Geri:
Jumping front kick
Tobi Yoko Geri:
Jumping side kick
Ura Mawashi Geri:
Hook kick
Ushiro Geri:
Back kick
Yoko Geri:
Side kick

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