Going in to any dojo can be daunting. Worse is the, almost seemingly easy, use of all of these Japanese words. Where did they come from? What do they mean? How will I ever remember them?
So here is a simple list of terms to help. Spelling changes and different groups use word changes. Japanese can be a descriptive language, so many are worded that way.
Look for patterns and you will be fine!
Atemi Waza (striking)
Jodan tsuki Upper level punch
Chudan tsuki Middle level punch
Sun tsuki Short punch
Ura tsuki Close punch
Awase tsuki U punch
Age tsuki Rising punch
Haito uchi Ridge hand strike
Hiji ate Elbow strike
Mawashi hiji ate Round elbow strike
Ryo shotei ate Palm heel strike
Shuto uchi Knife hand strike
Ura shuto uchi Inside knife hand strike
Ura uchi Back fist strike
Yoko ura uchi Side back fist strike
Kentsui uchi Hammer fist strike
Furi uchi Swing strike
Keri Waza (kicking)
Kansetsu geri Joint kick
Kin geri Groin kick
Mae geri Front kick
Mawashi geri Round kick
Ushiro geri Back kick
Yoko geri Side kick
Hiza ate Knee strike
Uke Waza (blocking)
Yoko uke Side block
Uchi uke/Gedan barai Double arm block
Gedan barai Lower level sweep
Gedan uke Lower level block
Harai uke Low block
Jodan age uke Upper level rising block
Kake uke Hook block
Mawashi uke Round block
Shuto uke Knife hand block
Uchi uke Inside block
Kosa uke Cross block
Tachi Waza (stances)
Bensoku dachi Turning cross leg stance
Hachiji dachi Natural stance
Han zenkutsu dachi Half front stance
Heiko dachi Parallel stance
Heiko sanchin dachi Parallel stance
Heisoku dachi Parallel closed stance
Kiba dachi Horse stance
Kokutsu dachi Back stance
Musubi dachi Open toes stance
Neko ashi dachi Cat stance
Sanchin dachi Hourglass stance
Shiko dachi Square stance
Soto hachiji dachi Figure eight stance
Zenkutsu dachi Front stance