The American Karate Academy of Akron

Call Us Today!
 
Learn the Art of Self-Defense by Contacting With Us Today at (866) 614-8156 in Akron, Ohio
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday
4:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Membership:
Professional Karate Commission

Awards:
• Two-Time Hall of Famer 
  (Once for Instructor of the Year)
• Featured in World's Marital Arts
  Hall of Fame & Ohio Black Belt Hall of Fame

Kazu (Numbers)

 

Japanese

Phonetic

English

Kazu

kah-zoo

Numbers

Rei

ray

Zero

Ichi

eech

One

Ni

nee

Two

San

san

Three

Shi (Yon)

she

Four

Go

go

Five

Roku

roke

Six

Shichi (Nana)

seech

Seven

Hachi

hach

Eight

Ku

koo

Nine

Ju

joo

Ten

 

Japanese

Phonetic

English

Ju Ichi

joo eech

Eleven

Ju Ni

joo nee

Twelve

Ju San

joo san

Thirteen

Ju Shi

joo she

Fourteen

Ju Go

joo go

Fifteen

Ju Roku

joo roke

Sixteen

Ju Shichi

joo seech

Seventeen

Ju Hachi

joo hach

Eighteen

Ju Ku

joo koo

Nineteen

Ni Ju

nee joo

Twenty

Ni Ju Ichi

nee joo eech

Twenty One

San Ju

san joo

Thirty

 

 

Tachikata (Stances)

 

Japanese

Pronunciation

English

Tachikata

tah-chee kah-tah

Stances (lit. Standing Methods)

Tachi, -dachi

tah-chee, dah-chee

Stance

Fudo-dachi, Sochin-dachi,
Sanchin-dachi

foo-doe dah-chee,
sahn-chin dah-chee

Immovable Stance,
Hourglass Stance (lit. three-battles stance)

Genkaku-dachi
Tsuri-ashi-dachi
Sagi-ashi-dachi

ghen-kah-koo dah-chee
tsoo-ree ah-she dah-chee
sah-gee ah-she dah-chee

Rigid Crane Stance
Crane Leg Stance
Heron Leg Stance

Kamae

kah-mah-eh

Fighting Posture, Take a Stance

Heiko-dachi

hay-koh dah-chee

Parallel Stance

Heisoku-dachi

hay-sow-koo dah-chee

Closed-foot Stance

Iaigoshi-dachi

ee-ai go-she dah-chee

Kneeling Stance

Ippon-ashi-dachi

ee-pohn ah-she-dah-chee

One-leg Stance

Kiba-dachi
Naihanchi-dachi

key-bah dah-chee
nai-han-chee dah-chee

Horse Riding Stance

Kokutsu-dachi

koe-koo-tsu dah-chee

Back-leg-bent Stance (lit. back-ducking Stance)

Kosa-dachi

koe-sah dah-chee

Cross-leg Stance

Kumite-dachi
Moro-ashi-dachi
Moto-dachi

koo-mih-tay dah-chee
moh-row ah-she da-hchee
moh-tow dah-chee

Fighting Stance

Musubi-dachi

moo-sue-be dah-chee

Heels Together Stance (lit. tying-together Stance)

Naname Zenkutsu-dachi

nah-nah-may zen-koo-tsue dah-chee

Slanted Front-leg-bent Stance (lit. Diagonal Front-ducking Stance)

Nekoashi-dachi

neh-koh ah-she-dah-chee

Cat Stance

Seisan-dachi

say-san dah-chee

Forward Stance

Seiza

say-zah

Sit/Kneel Quietly

Shiko-dachi
Jigotai-dachi

she-koe dah-chee
jih-go-tie dah-chee

Wide Open-leg Stance

Shizentai-dachi

shih-zen-tie dah-chee

Natural Stance

Soto-Hachiji-dachi

soh-toh-hah-chee-jee dah-chee

Open Natural Stance (feet point outward (?) at same angle as character for eight, ?)

Zenkutsu-dachi

zen-koo-tsue dah-chee

Front-leg-bent Stance (lit. Front-ducking Stance)

 

 

Ukekata (Blocking Methods)

 

Japanese

Pronunciation

English

Ukekata

oo-kay kah-tah

Blocking Methods

Uke

oo-kay

Block

Chudan-soto-uke

chew-dahn so-toe oo-kay

Middle Outward Bock

Chudan-soto-mawashi-uke

chew-dahn so-toe mah-wah-she oo-kay

Middle Sideward Round Block

Chudan-yoko-uke

chew-dahn yoh-koh oo-kay

Middle Sideward Block

Chudan-uchi-uke

chew-dahn oo-chee oo-kay

Middle Inward Block

Gedan-barai
Gedan-uke
Hari-uke

geh-dahn bah-rye
geh-dahn oo-kay
hah-rae oo-kay

Lower Sweeping Block
Lower Level Block
Sweeping Block

Gedan-yoko-barai-uke

geh-dahn yoh-koh bah-rye oo-kay

Lower Sideward Sweeping Block

Haito-uke

hai-toh oo-kay

Reverse Knife-hand Block

Hangetsu-barai-uke

hahn-geh-tsue bah-rye oo-kay

Half-moon Sweeping Block

Hazushi-uke

hah-zoo-she oo-kay

Removing Block

Hasami-uke

hah-sah-me oo-kay

Scissor Block

Hiji-uke

he-jee oo-kay

Elbow Block

Jodan-uke
Age-uke

joh-dahn oo-kay
ah-gay oo-kay

Upper Level Block
Rising Block

Kosa-uke

koe-sah oo-kay

Cross Block

Magetori-barai-uke

mah-geh-toh-ree bah-rye oo-kay

Rising Double Knife-hand Block (lit. Grabbing the Topknot Block)

Makite-uke

mah-key-teh oo-kay

Winding Knife-hand Block

Morote-soe-uke

moh-row-teh so-eh oo-kay

Augmented Forearm Block, Wedge Block

Morote-barai-uke

moh-row-teh bah-rye oo-kay

Augmented Lower Block

Otoshi-uke

oh-toe-she oo-kay

Dropping Block

Sagurite-uke

sah-gu-ree-teh oo-kay

Searching-hand Block

Sasae-uke

sah-sa-eh oo-kay

Supported Forearm Block

Sayu-barai-uke

sah-yoo bah-rye oo-kay

Double Sweeping Block (lit. Left-right Sweeping Block)

Shotei-uke

show-tay oo-kay

Palm Heel Block

Shuto-uke

shoe-toe oo-kay

Knife Hand Block

Torite-uke

toh-ree-teh oo-kay

Grasping-hand Block

Wari-uke

wah-rhee oo-kay

Split Block

 Semekata (Attacking Methods)

 

Japanese

Pronunciation

English

Semekata

seh-meh kah-tah

Attacking Methods

Seiken-waza

say-ken-wah-zah

Fist Techniques

Tsuki, -zuki

tsoo-key, zoo-key

Punch (lit. Thrust)

Age-zuki

ah-gay-zoo-key

Rising Punch

Chudan-zuki

choo-dahn zoo-key

Middle Level Punch

Gedan-zuki

gey-dahn zoo-key

Lower Level Punch

Gyaku-zuki

gya-koo zoo-key

Reverse Punch

Ippon-ken

ee-pohn-ken

One Knuckle Fist

Ippon-ken Naka-daka

ee-pohn-ken-nah-kah-dah-kah

Middle Knuckle Fist

Jodan-zuki

joe-dahn zoo-key

Upper Level Punch

Kaku-zuki

kah-koo zoo-key

Square Punch

Kakushi-zuki

kah-koo-shee zoo-key

Hidden Fist Punch

Morote-zuki
Awase-zuki

moh-row-tay zoo-key
Ah-wah-say zoo-key

Augmented Punch

Oi-zuki

oy-zoo-key

Lunge Punch, Chasing Punch

Sayu-zuki

sah-yoo zoo-key

Double Side Punch

Tomoe-zuki

toh-mo-eh zoo-key

Circular Block and Punch

Wari-uke-zuki

wah-ree oo-kay zoo-key

Split-block Punch

Yubi-waza

yoo-bee wah-zah

Finger Techniques

Morote-nuki-zuki

moh-row-tay new-key zoo-key

Double Spear-hand Thrust

Nukite-zuki

new-key-tay zoo-key

Spear-hand Thrust

Shi-zuki
Toride-zuki

she zoo-key
toh-ree-day zoo-key

Chicken Beak Thrust
Bird Hand Strike

Uchi-waza

oo-chee wah-zah

Striking Techniques

Haito-uchi

hi-tow oo-chee

Reverse Knife-hand Strike

Kentsui-uchi
Tettsui-uchi

ken-tsu-ee oo-chee,
te-tzoo-ee oo-chee

Hammer-fist Strike
Iron Hammer Strike

Kyobu-shuto-uchi

key-oh-boo shoo-tow oo-chee

Knife-hand Strike (to the chest area)

Kyobu-morote-shuto-uchi

key-oh-boo moh-row-tay shoo-tow oo-chee

Double Knife-hand Strike (to the chest area)

Kyobu-soete-shuto-uchi

key-oh-boo soh-eh-tay shoo-tow oo-chee

Augmented Knife-hand Strike (to the chest area)

Shuto-uchi

shoo-tow oo-chee

Knife-hand Strike

Uraken-uchi

oo-ra-ken oo-chee

Backfist Strike

Ate-waza

ah-tay wah-zah

Smashing Techniques

Hiji-ate
Empi Uchi

hee-jee-ah-tay
em-pee oo-chee

Elbow Smash
Elbow Strike

Hiza-ate

hee-zah-ah-tay

Knee Smash

Sasae-hiji-ate

sah-sa-eh hee-jee ah-tay

Supported Elbow Smash

Shotei-ate
Teisho

show-tay-ah-tay
tay-show

Palm Heal Smash

Tate-hiji-ate

tah-tay hee-jee ah-tay

Upward Elbow Smash

Ushiro-hiji-ate

oo-shee-row hee-jee ah-tay

Backward Elbow Smash

Yoko-hiji-ate

yoh-koh hee-jee ah-tay

Side Elbow Smash

 

Kerikata (Kicking Methods)

 

 

Japanese

Pronunciation

English

Keri, -geri

keh-ree, geh-ree

Kick

Ashi-barai

ah-she bah-rye

Leg Sweep

Fukubu-geri

foo-koo-boo geh-ree

Abdomen Kick

Hiza-geri

hee-zah geh-ree

Knee Kick

Keri-age, Keage

keh-ree-ah-gay, key-ah-gay

Snap Kick, Rising Kick

Keri-komi, Kekomi

keh-ree-koh-mee, key-ko-mee

Thrust Kick

Kinteki-geri

keen-tekee geh-ree

Groin Kick (lit. Gold-like Kick!)

Kyobu-geri

key-oh-boo geh-ree

Chest Area Kick

Mae-geri

my-geh-ree

Front Kick

Mae-geri-kakato

my-geh-ree kah-kah-toe

Front Kick with the Heel

Mawashi-geri

mah-wah-she-geh-ree

Round-house Kick with Top of Foot

Mikazuki-geri

mee-kah-zoo-key geh-ree

Crescent Kick (lit. Three Days Moon Kick)

Nidan-geri
Maetobi-geri

nee-dahn geh-ree
my-toh-bee geh-ree

Flying Front Kick, Two-level Kick
Flying Front Kick

Ushiro-geri

oo-she-row-geh-ree

Back Kick

Ura mawashi-geri

oo-rah mah-wah-she geh-ree

Back Roundhouse Kick

Yoko-geri
Sokuto-geri

yoh-koh-geh-ree
soh-koo-tow geh-ree

Side Kick
Foot-edge Kick

 

Kata (Forms)

 

 

Japanese

Pronunciation

English

Kata

kah-tah

Form

Dai Nihon Tenno Kata

die-nee-hohn ten-noh kah-tah

Great Heavenly Japanese Karate Form

Fujikata (Fukyukata) Dai Ichi

foo-jee-kah-tah die-eech

First Basic (common) Form

Fujikata (Fukyukata) Dai Ni

foo-jee-kah-tah die-nee

Second Basic (common) Form

Pinan Nidan
(Heian Shodan*)

pee-nahn nee-dahn

Second Peace Form
*Heian is mainland Japanese pronunciation. Pinan is Okinawan

Pinan Shodan
(Heian Nidan)

 

First Peace Form

Pinan Sandan
(Heian Sandan)

 

Third Peace Form

Pinan Yondan
(Heian Yondan)

 

Fourth Peace Form

Pinan Godan
(Heian Godan)

 

Fifth Peace Form

Niahanchi Shodan
Tekki Shodan

 

First Inner-stepping Form

Niahanchi Nidan
Tekki Nidan

 

Second Inner-stepping Form

Niahanchi Sandan
Tekki Sandan

 

Third Inner-stepping Form

Ananku

 

Name of a visting monk from China

Rohai

 

Bird on a Rock

Wankan

 

Kings Crown

Wanshu

 

Name of a visting monk from China

Passai

 

To Storm a Fortress

Chinto

 

 

Gojushiho

 

54 Step Form

Kusanku
Koshokun

 

Name of a visting monk from China

 

Commands & Phrases

 

 

Japanese

Pronunciation

English

 

 

 

Arigato Gozaimasu

ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zai-mas

Thank You Very Much

Do Itashimas'te

doh-ee-tash-ee-ma-she-tay

You're Welcome

Hajime

hah-jee-may

Begin

Karate ni Sente Nashi

kah-rah-tay nee sen-tay nah-she

There is no first attack in karate.

Kawate

kah-wah-tay

On Guard

Kiotsuke

Kee-oh-skay

Attention! Stand up straight!

Matte

mah-tay

Wait

Mawatte

mah-wah-tay

Turn Around

Mokuso

moh-koo-soh

Quiet Meditation

Onegai Shimasu

oh-neh-guy-she-mas

Please (Teach Me)

Otagai ni

oh-tah-gah-ee nee

Toward Each Other

Otagai ni Rei

oh-tah-gah-ee nee ray

Bow to Each Other

Otagai ni Taishi

oh-tah-gah-ee nee ta(i)-sh(e)

Face Each Other

Rei

ray

Bow with Respect

Sensei ni Rey

sen-say nee ray

Bow to the Teacher

Sensei ni Taishi

sen-say nee ta(i)-sh(e)

Face the Teacher

Shomen ni Rei

shoh-men ni ray

Bow to the Front

Shomen ni Taishi

shoh-men nee ta(i)-sh(e)

Face the Front

Shugo

shoo-go

Line Up, Gather together

Yame

yah-may

Stop

Yoi

yoy

Ready, Attention

 

Parts of the Body

 

 

Japanese

Pronunciation

English

 

 

 

Ago

ah-goh

Chin, Jaw

Ashi

ah-she

Foot and/or Leg

Atama

ah-tah-mah

Head

Hana

hah-nah

Nose

haisoku

hai-sow-koo

Reverse Foot (Instep)

Haito

hai-tow

Reverse Knife Hand (Ridge Hand)

Heiken

 

Flat Fist (Bear Paw)

Hiji, Empi

hee-jee, em-pee

Elbow

hiraken

Hee-rah ken

Four Finger Fist (Knuckles)

Hiza

he-zah

Knee

Kakato

kah-kah-toe

Heel

Karada/shin-, -mi

kah-rah-dah/ shin-, -mi

Body, prefix/suffix for Body

Ken

ken

Fist

Koshi
Josokutei
zenzoku

koh-shee
joh-soh-koo-tay
zen-zoh-koo

Middle Foot (Ball of Foot)
Raised Sole
Ball of Foot

Koshi

koh-she

Hips

Kubi

koo-bee

Neck

Kumade

koo-mah-day

Bear Hand (Tiger Claw)

Me

meh

Eye

Mune

moo-neh

Chest

Nakadaka ken

Nah-kah dah-kah ken

Middle Finger Fist (Knuckle)

Nodo

noh-doe

Throat

Nukite

noo-key-tay

Spear Hand

Oya-yubi Ippon-ken

Oiyah-yoo-bee ee-pohn ken

Thumb Fist (Thumb Knuckle)

Seiken

say-ken

Proper Fist, Straight Fist, (Front 2 Knuckle Punch)

Shinkei

shin-keh

Nerve

Shuto

shoo-tow

Knife Hand

Soku

soh-koo

Foot

Sokutei

soh-koo-tay

Sole of the Foot

Sokuto

Soh-koo-toe

Foot Blade, Foot Edge

Suigetsu

Soo-ee-geh-tsoo

Solar Plexus (lit. Water Moon)

Sune

su-nay

Shin

Te

tay

Hand

Teisho

tay-show

Palm Heel

Tekubi

tay-koo-bee

Wrist

Tettsui

teh-tsu-ee

Iron Hammer (Hammer Fist)

Toriguchi

 

Chicken Beak (Finger Tips)

Tsumasaki

tsoo-mah-sah-key

Tips of the Toes

Ude

oo-day

Forearm

Uraken

oo-ra-ken

Back Fist

Wanto

wahn-tow

Sword Arm (Side of forearm)

Yubi

yoo-bee

Finger

 

Miscellaneous Terms

 

 

Japanese

Pronunciation

English

Atemi

ah-teh-me

Strike (Often to distract)

Barai

Bah-rye

Sweep

Bunkai

Boon-kai

Application of Kata Techniques (lit. picking apart)

Bushido

boo-she-doh

The Way of the Warrior

Dai Ichi

die-eech

The First

Deshi

deh-she

Student, Pupil

Dojo

doe-joe

Place to Learn the Way

Gi

ghee

Karate Uniform

Goshin Jutsu

go-shin ju-tsoo

Self Defense Techniques

Hai

hi

Yes

Hidari

hee-dah-ree

Left

Iya

ee-yay

No

Jiyu Kumite

jee-yu koo-meh-tay

Freestyle Sparring

Kamiza

kah-me-zah

Seat of Honor, Shrine

Karateka

kah-rah-tay-kah

Karate Student

Kiai

key-eye

Spirit Yell

Kihon

key-hon

Basics

Kokyu Ho

koh-kyu how

Breathing Methods

Kumite

koo-meh-tay

Sparring

Obi

oh-bee

Karate Belt

Makiwara

mah-kee-wah-rah

Striking Board

Migi

mee-gee

Right

Shiai

she-eye

Sparring Match

Tameshi Wari

Tah-meh-she wah-rhee

Breaking (Boards, Bricks, etc.)

Waza

wah-zah

Technique

Yakusoku Kumite

yah-k(oo)-soh-koo koo-meh-tay

Pre-arranged Sparring

 

Ranks & Titles

 

 

Japanese

Pronunciation

English

 

 

Karate Ranks

Kyu

kyew

Ranks below Black Belt

Mukyu

moo-kyew

No Level (Red Belt)

Jukyu

joo-kyew

Tenth Level (White Belt)

Kukyu

koo-kyew

Ninth Level (Orange Belt)

Hachikyu

hach-kyew

Eigth Level (Gold Belt)

Nanakyu

nah-nah-kyew

Seventh Level (Purple Belt)

Rokyu

roh-kyew

Sixth Level (Green/White Stripe Belt)

Gokyu

go-kyew

Fifth Level (Green Belt)

Yonkyu

yohn-kyew

Fourth Level (Blue Belt)

Sankyu

san-kyew

Third Level (Brown Belt)

Nikyu

nee-kyew

Second Level (Brown/1 Black Tip Belt)

Ikkyu

eek-kyew

First Level (Brown/2 Black Tip Belt)

Dan

dahn

Ranks of Black Belt

Shodan-Ho

show-dahn hoe

Probationary First Degree Black Belt

Shodan

show-dahn

First Degree Black Belt

Nidan

nee-dahn

Second Degree Black Belt

Sandan

san-dahn

Third Degree Black Belt

Yondan

yohn-dahn

Fourth Degree Black Belt

Godan

go-dahn

Fifth Degree Black Belt

Rokudan

rohk-oo-dahn

Sixth Degree Black Belt

Nanadan

nah-nah-dahn

Seventh Degree Black Belt

Hachidan

hach-ee-dahn

Eighth Degree Black Belt

Kudan

koo-dahn

Ninth Degree Black Belt

Judan

joo-dahn

Tenth Degree Black Belt

Joshu-Shoban

joh-shoo show-ban

Junior First Degree Black Belt

 

 

Shidokan Teaching Ranks

Shidoin

she-doyn

Assistant Instructor

Sempai, Senpai

sehm-pie

Senior Student

Sensei

sehn-say

Teacher

Renshi

rehn-she

Senior Teacher

Shihan

she-han

Teacher of Teachers

Kyoshi

kyoh-she

Expert Teacher

Hanshi

hahn-she

Master Teacher

 

 

Other Titles

Shidoshi

she-doh-she

Director

 

Martial Arts Styles

 

 

Japanese

Pronunciation

English

Ryu

roo

Style or School

Aikido

eye-key-doh

The way of harmony, a Japanese martial art

Goju-ryu

goh-joo roo

Hard/Soft Style from Naha-te Okinawan karate

Iaido

eye-ay-doh

The Japanese art of drawing the sword

Isshin-ryu

ish-in roo

"The One Heart Way" style from the strengths of Shorin-ryu & Goju-ryu Okinawan karate

Judo

joo-doh

The gentle way, a Japanese martial art

Ju-jutsu, Ju-jitsu

joo-jut-soo

The gentle art, self defence

Karate-do

kah-rah-tay-doh

The Way of the Empty Hand

Kempo, Kenpo

kem-poh, ken-poh

Fist principles, an Okinawan karate style

Kendo

ken-doh

The way of the sword, a Japanese martial art

Kobudo

koh-boo-doh

Old martial way. A weapons martial art

Kung-fu

kung-foo

Chinese martial arts

Matsubayashi-ryu

mat-soo-by-ashi roo

Pine Forest Style of Okinawan Shorin-ryu karate

Naha-te

nah-hah-tay

One of the two main original Okinawan karate styles

Shiatsu

she-ah-tsoo

Meridian Massage

Shito-ryu

she-toh roo

Combination of Naha-te & Suri-te Okinawan karate

Shorin-ryu

show-rin roo

Little Forest Style from Shuri-te Okinawan Karate

Shotokan

show-toh-kahn

Sports Style of Japanese Karate

Shuri-ryu

shur-ee ryu

Okinawan/american style of karate

Shuri-te

shur-ee tay

One of the two main original Okinawan karate styles

Taekwon-do

tay-kwon-doh

Korean Martial Art with an emphasis on kicks

Uechi-ryu

ee-chi roo

Way of Uechi, a Kung fu flavored Okinawan karate style

Wado-ryu

wah-doh roo

A Japanase style of Karate

 

To Download in PDF Format