10/02/2026
🥋KARATE VOCABULARY 101🥋
New to karate? You might hear a few Japanese words in every class. Here are some of the basics you’ll hear around the dojo:
- Dojo — The place where we train and learn karate.
- Sensei — Our instructor or teacher. It literally means “one who has gone before.”
- Rei — To bow. Bowing shows respect for your instructors, training partners and the dojo.
- Kihon — The fundamental techniques of karate, including punches, kicks, blocks and stances.
- Kata — A set sequence of karate techniques performed against imaginary opponents. Kata helps develop technique, balance, timing and focus.
- Kumite — Partner work or sparring. It teaches students how to apply their techniques with another person.
- Gi — The traditional karate uniform worn during training.
You don’t need to know all the terminology before you start, you’ll pick it up as you train!
Which karate word did you learn first?
