Translations of Japanese Language Used in Martial Arts
This is a list of Japanese terms and expressions and their translations that are used in a martial arts context. At the bottom of the page there is a link to a pdf file that includes who they are written in the Japanese language (using kanji or hiragana). It contains more detailed explanation within its footnotes. It can also be used as a print-out to be given to students.
Basic Terminology:
dojo- martial arts training hall
gi (or dogi)- uniform
obi- belt
sensei- teacher
sempai- senior (student)
shihan- master instructor
seiza- kneeling position
mokuso- meditation
hajime- begin
yame- stop
shomen - facing front (of dojo)
rei - bow
tatte- stand up
uke- person who receives the action
tori- person who performs the action
Directions:mae- forward
ushiro- back
hidari- left
migi- right
Numbers:
ichi- one
ni- two
san- three
shi- four
go- five
roku- six
shichi- seven
hachi- eight
kyu- nine
ju- ten
Basic Techniques:
uchi- strike
tsuki- punch
geri (or keri)- kick
uke- block
nage- throw
Expressions:
Konnichiwa- Hello.
Arigato gozaimashita- Thank you. (polite version)
Onegaishimasu- I humbly request (Said at the begining of class or before training with a new partner.)
Daijobu- I’m alright. (Can also be used as a question, "Are you alright?")
O-tsukaresama deshita- Thank you for your tiredness from the effort. (Said after class)
Go-kurosama deshita- It was a great hardship; I appreciate your efforts. (Can also be said after class)
Ki o tsuke- Stand at attention.
Hai or Ee- Yes. (Many dojos also use usu to mean the same. Usu is a bastardization of Osu which means "to push."
chigau- It’s different. (This is used in place of “No.”)
Mo ichido or mo ikkai- One more time.
ki o tsukete- Be careful.
Sayonara- Good-bye.
Training Concepts:
kiai- shout
kime- focus
tanden- abdomen
zanshin- remain alert
kisoku- abdominal breathing
bunkai- application (or analysis)
mushin- no mind
seishin- spirit
Stances (tachikata):
hachiji-dachi- natural stance
zenkutsu-dachi- forward stance
kiba-dachi- horse stance
kokutsu-dachi- back stance Hand Attacks (tsuki-te):
seiken- regular fist
shotei- palm heel
haisho- back hand
empi- elbow
kote- forearm
nakadakaken- middle knuckle fist
haito- inside blade hand (aka- ridge hand)
tetsui- hammer fist
Dojo Japanese 101- pdf version
Lori O'Connell
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