Before We Begin: Karate Terminology

Like all disciplines, Karate has its own jargon that you must become familiar with in order to progress rapidly. Before we begin looking at the various karate techniques, it is important that you learn a few words first that you will see appear throughout this blog. Because our focus is on learning karate at home, we will not go over all the terms related to Karate but only over the most important and more common, so let's begin.

First things first, what does karate mean? Karate means "empty hand". Karate-do is used to describe the practice of Karate, Karate-do could be translated by "the way of the empty hand". Karateka designates the practicioner of karate.

A dojo is the place where martial art training takes place. The gi or dogi is the name for the karate uniform. A kata is a set of pre-defined movements used to show technique and mastery. LAst bu not least, sensei is the name used by students to adress their karate master or teacher.

These are just a few essentials words part of the karate "culture" that you must become acquainted with. Each time a new term will be introduced we will give its meaning when relevant, but for now that's enough!