Translators
This is a list of verbal terms that are commonly used in a Karate Dojo,with their translations.
| Japanese |
English |
|
Rei |
Bow |
|
Somen-Ni-Rei |
Bow to the Front |
|
Sen-Sani-Rei |
Bow to Teacher |
|
Sem-Pani-Rei |
Bow to Senior |
|
Oto-Gaini-Rei |
Bow to Each Other |
|
Yoi |
Ready |
|
Hajime |
Begin |
|
Yame |
Stop |
|
Mawate |
Turn |
|
Naote |
Relax |
|
Gidan Bori Kamai |
Step into ready position |
|
Sensei |
Teacher |
|
Sempai |
Senior |
|
Makiwara |
Punching Board |
|
Kime |
Focus |
|
Henmi |
45 Degree Angle |
|
Chi |
Inner Strength |
|
Oss |
I acknowledge |
|
Kihon |
Basics |
|
Kamai |
Fighting Guard Up |
|
Dojo |
Place of Training |
|
Ippon |
One Full Point |
|
Wazari |
Half Point |
|
Keri-Waza |
Kicking Techniques |
|
Kiai |
Shout of Spirit |
|
Koshi |
Ball of Foot |
|
Ma-A |
Distancing |
|
Nage-Waza |
Throwing Techniques |
|
Seiken |
Fore Fist |
|
Waza |
Technique |
|
Zanshin |
Perfect Focused Finish |
|
Zuki-Waza |
Punching Techniques |
|
Suki |
Opening |
|
Uchi-Waza |
Striking Techniques |
|
Gyaku |
Reverse |
|
Ushiro |
Behind |
|
Jodan |
Head Height |
|
Chudan |
Mid Section Height |
|
Geidan |
Groin Height |
Now some basic counting…..
| Japanese |
English |
|
Ichi |
One |
|
Ni |
Two |
|
San |
Three |
|
Shi |
Four |
|
Go |
Five |
|
Roku |
Six |
|
Shichi |
Seven |
|
Hachi |
Eight |
|
Ku |
Nine |
|
Ju |
Ten |
Stances (Dachi) …..
| Japanese |
English |
|
Hachiji-Dachi |
Open Leg Natural Stance |
|
Zenkutsu-Dachi |
Forward Stance |
|
Heisoku-Dachi |
Informal Attention Stance |
|
Sanchin-Dachi |
Hourglass Stance |
|
Sochin-Dachi |
Diagonal Straddle Stance |
|
Kokutsu-Dachi |
Back Stance |
|
Kiba-Dachi |
Straddle Stance |
|
Neko-Ashi-Dachi |
Cat Stance |
Strikes (Uchi)…..
| Japanese |
English |
|
Empi-Uchi |
Elbow Strike |
|
Uraken-Uchi |
Back Fist Strike |
|
Tettsui-Uchi |
Hammer Fist Strike |
|
Haito-Uchi |
Ridge Hand Strike |
|
Teisho-Uchi |
Palm Heel Strike |
|
Nukite |
Finger Thrust |
|
Shuto-Uchi |
Knife Hand Strike |
Punches (Zuki)…..
| Japanese |
English |
|
Choku-Zuki |
Straight Punch |
|
Gyaku-Zuki |
Reverse Punch |
|
Oi-Zuki |
Lunge Punch |
|
Ura-Zuki |
Close Punch |
|
Yama-Zuki |
U Punch |
|
Kesame-Zuki |
Jab Punch |
Blocks (Uke)…..
| Japanese |
English |
|
Age-Uke |
Rising Block |
|
Soto-Uke |
Outside Forearm Block |
|
Gidan-Barai |
Downward Sweep Block |
|
Juji-Uke |
X Block |
|
Nagashi-Uke |
Sweeping Block |
|
Uchi-Uke |
Inside Forearm Block |
|
Shuto-Uke |
Knife Hand Block |
|
Marote-Uke |
Augmented Forearm Block |
Kicks (Geri)…..
| Japanese |
English |
|
Ren-Geri |
Front double Kick (front foot 1st) |
|
Mae-Geri |
Front Kick |
|
Ushiro-Geri |
Back Kick |
|
Yoko-Geri-Keage |
Side Snap Kick |
|
Yoko-Geri-Kekomi |
Side Thrust Kick |
|
Mawashi-Geri |
Roundhouse Kick |
|
Fumakomi |
Stamp Kick |
|
Mikazuki-Geri |
Crescent Kick |
|
Ushiro-Mawashi-Geri |
Backward Roundhouse Kick |
|
Nidan-Geri |
Front double Kick (back foot 1st) |
Sparring (Kumite)…..
| Japanese |
English |
|
Go-Hon Kumite |
5 Step Sparring |
|
San-Bon Kumite |
3 Step Sparring |
|
Kihon-Ippon-Kumite |
Basic 1 Step Sparring |
|
Jiyu-Ippon-Kumite |
Semi-Free 1 Step Sparring |
|
Jiyu-Kumite |
Free Sparring |
|
Ippon-Shobu-Hajime |
One Point Bout Begin |
|
Sambon-Shobu-Hajime |
Three Point Bout Begin |
|
Jikan |
Take Time |
|
Aiuchi |
Exchange of Blows |
|
Jogai |
Crossing external Boundary |
|
Atoshi-Baraku |
Bout has 30 Seconds Remaining |
|
Fukushin-Shugo |
Calling Judges Together |
|
Motono-Ichi |
Return to Starting Line |
|
Tsu-Zu-Kete-Hajime |
Continue with Bout |
|
Tori-Masen |
No Point Awarded |
Misc Techniques…..
| Japanese |
English |
|
Ashi-Barai |
Ankle Sweep |
Japanese Language
Learning even a little Japanese is a worthwhile endeavor. At the very least you should make an effort to learn Hiragana and Katakana, the two most commonly used character sets. Katakana is especially useful because it is used exclusively for writing foreign words (usually English). Once you’ve memorized the Katakana characters reading is just a matter of sounding out the syllables and trying to figure out what English word is being interpreted.
The following won’t make you fluent in Japanese, but you’ll be able to say “please” & “thank you” with absolute confidence.
Even if your Japanese is less than perfect, you can make up for many deficiencies by using the English versions of the many phrases — frequently and with sincerity. The Japanese place a great store on politeness, in any language, and will respond to your efforts in kind.
Finally, if some words sound familiar, it’s because they are. Many English words have been adopted into the Japanese language.
| General Pronunciation Guide | |
|
A |
as in father |
|
I |
as in machine |
|
E |
as in yes |
|
O |
as in go |
|
U |
as in put |
Long vowels are generally indicated by a rule over the vowel or double vowels (ii).
Consonants are generally pronounced as in English; the differences are subtle, and not easily explained.
Finally, all letters in a word are pronounced. At first, it feel awkward (and you’ll notice that native speakers tend to omit final sounds), but soon the words will flow
.
|
Basic Words and Phrases |
|
|
Japanese Word/Phrase |
English Translation
|
|
GREETINGS |
|
|
o-hayou gozai masu |
Good morning |
|
konnichiwa |
Good afternoon |
|
konban wa |
Good evening
|
|
THANK YOU |
|
|
domo arigatou |
Thank You |
|
domo arigatou gozai mashita |
Thank you very much |
|
domo |
Thanks (informal) |
|
domo go-shinsetsu ni |
Thank you for your kindness |
|
dou itashi mashite |
Reply: It’s a pleasure
|
|
APOLOGIES |
|
|
sumi masen OR go-men nasai |
Sorry |
|
hontouni sumi masen |
I’m very sorry
|
|
Basic Phrases |
|
|
Anata |
You |
|
Dozo |
Please |
|
Eigo |
English language |
|
Eigo ga wakarimasu ka? |
Do you understand English? |
|
Gomen Nasai |
Pardon me |
|
Hai |
Yes |
|
Hai, wakarimasu |
Yes, I understand. |
|
Lie |
No |
|
Lie, wakarimasen |
No, I don’t understand. |
|
Konban Wa |
Good Evening |
|
Konnichi Wa |
Good Afternoon |
|
Kudasai |
Please |
|
Moshi Moshi |
Hello (greeting on telephone or upon entering a room) |
|
Nanji desu ka? |
What time is it? |
|
Nihongo |
Japanese Language |
|
Ohayo gozaimasu |
Good Morning (until about 10 a.m.) |
|
Sayonara |
Goodbye |
|
Sumimasen |
Excuse me |
|
Toire wa doko ni arimasu ka? |
Where is the toilet? |
|
Watakushi |
I (most commonly used version)
|
| Months/Days of the Week | |
| Japanese Word/Phrase |
English Translation
|
|
Ichi-gatsu |
January |
|
Ni-gatsu |
February |
|
San-gatsu |
March |
|
Shi-gatsu |
April |
|
Go-gatsu |
May |
|
Roku-gatsu |
June |
|
Shichi-gatsu |
July |
|
Hachi-gatsu |
August |
|
Ku-gatsu |
September |
|
Juu-gatsu |
October |
|
Juuichi-gatsu |
November |
|
Juuni-gatsu |
December |
|
Nichiyobi |
Sunday |
|
Getsuyoobi |
Monday |
|
Kayoobi |
Tuesday |
|
Suiyoobi |
Wednesday |
|
Mokuyoobi |
Thursday |
|
Kin-yoobi |
Friday |
|
Doyoobi |
Saturday |
|
Heijitsu |
Weekday |
|
Shumatsu |
Weekend |
|
Kita |
North |
|
Minami |
South |
|
Higashi |
East |
|
Nishi |
West |