Terminology

Below is a list of some of the most commonly encountered terms in karate and their meanings.

Stances

Kiba Dachi	Straddle Stance
Kokutsu Dachi	Back Stance
Shiko Dachi	Straddle stance with feet at 45 degrees
Shizen-tai	Natural stance
Zenkutsu Dachi	Front Stance

Hand/arm Techniques

Age-Uke	Rising block
Chudan Shuto-Uke	Mid-level knife hand block
Chudan Soto-Uke	Mid-level outside to inside block
Chudan Uchi-Uke	Mid-level inside to outside block
Empi-Uchi	Elbow Strike
Gedan Barai	Downward block
Gyaku-Zuki	Reverse punch
Kizami-Zuki	Lunge punch
Mawashi Empi	Round elbow strike
Nukite	Spear hand
Oi-Zuki	Stepping straight punch
Sanbon Zuki	Three punch combination
Uraken	Back fist

Leg/foot Techniques

Ashi Barai	Leg Sweep
Keage	Snap kick
Kekomi	Thrust kick
Mae-Geri	Front kick
Mawashi-Geri	Roundhouse kick
Ren-Geri	Consecutive kicks
Ushiro-Geri	Back kick
Yoko-Geri	Side kick

Other

Naore	Return to original position
Rei	Bow
Yame	Relax to ready position
Yoi	Ready

Site created 05/2010 by Helen Koelmans.
There is a great deal of information available on the Internet on the history and terminology of Karate. I would like to thank those whose many sites have provided this information to make this site informative.