When pronouncing Japanese and Okinawan words, remember that each syllable is stressed equally when saying multi-syllable words (i.e., ka-ra-te, not kar-ate). All syllables of a word are pronounced with equal emphasis.

There is no “R” sound in Japanese or Okinawan . If the letter R is used in a word, it is pronounced closer to an “L”, or like a rolled “R”.

A word does not change in the plural as it does in English. For example, “kata” may mean one kata or many kata. It would be incorrect to say, “katas”.

Stances

Stance - Dachi
EnglishJapanese/Okinawan
toe outward (Seiuchin)Soto hachiji
toe inward (Naihanchin)Uchi hachiji
straddle, or "horse"Kiba
short front (Seisan)Sho zenkutsu
ParallelHeiko
hourglassSanchin
formal (feet together)Musubi
crossed-legKosa
craneTsuru Ashi
catNekoashi
"T" stanceTeiji

Kicking Techniques

Kick - Geri
EnglishJapanese/Okinawan
Stomp KickFumikomi geri
Front Snap KickMae geri keage
Front Thrust KickMae geri kekomi
Flying Front KickMae tobi geri
Side Snap Kick Yoko geri keage
Side Thrust KickYoko geri kekomi
Back Kick Ushiro geri
Roundhouse KickMawashi geri
Crescent KickMikazuki geri
Double Jump KickNihon tobi geri

Punching & Striking Techniques

Punches - TzukiStrikes - Uchi
EnglishJapanese/OkinawanEnglishJapanese/Okinawan
Rising PunchAge tzukiElbow StrikeEmpi uchi
Reverse PunchGyaku tzukiDownward StrikeGedan uchi
Straight PunchSeiken tzukiRidge-hand StrikeHa-ito uchi
Lunge PunchOi tzukiStrike with KneeHittsui uchi
Side PunchTate tzukiOne Finger SpearhandIppon nukite
Two Finger SpearNihon nukite
Front Elbow StrikeMae empi uchi
Uppercut StrikeSeiken jodan uchi
Palm-Heel StrikeShotei
Hammer Fist StrikeTettsui uchi
Backfist StrikeUraken uchi
Backfist to Solar PlexusUraken chudan
Lower Backfist StrikeUraken gedan barai
Inverted Backfist StrikeUraken shomen uchi
Rear Elbow StrikeUshiro empi uchi
Side Elbow StrikeYoko empi uchi

Blocking Techniques: Block - Uke

Block - Uke
EnglishJapanese/Okinawan
Rising BlockAge uke
Downward BlockGedan uke 
Knife Hand BlockShuto uke
Crescent BlockMikazuki uke
Union BlockSoe uke
X-Block Juji uke
Inside/Outside Block
Outside/Inside Block 
Palm Heel BlockShotei uke

General Terms

Japanese/OkinawanEnglish
BunkaiStudy of techniques and applications
DanBlackbelt Grade
Hombu DojoThe central dojo of an organization
IpponOne point
JodanUpper area
Kamae (kah-mai)Posturing or distancing
KiMind, Spirit, Energy
Ki-aiA shout focusing all of one's energy into a single movement
KihonFundamental or basic
KimeFocus
KuzushiBreaking Balance
KyuGrade- Rank below blackbelt
KyushoAttack of vital points
MakiwaraPunching board
MudanshuOne who does not hold a blackbelt rank
NihonTwo point
ObiBelt
SenseiOne who has gone before, teacher
ShiaiContest or Match
SinbanRefree
SokeFounder, head of family
Tai sabakiBody movement
ToriPartner Performing a technique
UkePartner receiving a technique
WazaTechnique
YudanshaOne who is a blackbelt

Expressions

Japanese/OkinawanEnglish
Aswattisit
Domo arigato gazaimasuThank you very much
Haiyes
Hajime (ha-jee-may)begin
KiaiShout of spirit or energy
Keotsuke (kee-oh-tskay)Attention
Ohayo GozaimasuGood Morning
KombanwaGood Evening
KonnichiwaGood Afternoon
MatteWait
OhayoHello
Oyasumi NasaiGood Night
Tachi reiStanding bow
Tameshi wazaBreaking Technique
YamaeStop
MawashiRound
MikazukiCrescent
NukiteSpearhand
SeikenFist
TobiJump
TzukiPunch
UchiStrike
Uke (oo-kay)Block
Dachistance
EmpiElbow
Geri (Geddy)Kick
KakatoHeel of foot
KeageSnapping
KekomiThrusting
KoshiBall of the foot or hips

Directions

Japanese/OkinawanEnglish
AgeRising
ChudanMiddle Area
GedanLower Area
JodanUpper Area
MaeFront
UshiroBack

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