Uchinaaguchi Technical Terminology

Here are some technical terms in the Okinawan language. I will be posting more at some point in the future. They are separated into four categories: 1) names of major Karate techniques, 2) names of Okinawan martial arts and sub-arts, and 3) special qualities which are used in some karate techniques, and 4) counting.

The Uchinaaguchi pronunciation is in italics and the standard Japanese pronunciation of cognate words [when I know it] is in parentheses.  

1) Karate Technique Names:

Punch - chichi [or chikei] (tsuki)

Straight punch – chichidi (tsuki-te)

Clenched fist – tijikun (seiken)

Back-fist - ura tijikun (ura-seiken)

Hammer-fist - uchidi (uchi-te) [usually called “tettsui-uchi” in Japanese]

Sword hand - tigatana (shuto)

Spear-hand - nuchidi (nukite)

Back-hand uradi (ura-te) [usually called “kaishu uchi” in Japanese]

Forearm strike - udi-uchi (ude-uchi) 

Pulling-hand - fichidi (hiki-te)

Elbow strike - hijigee ati (hiji ate)

Kick – giri (geri)

Front kick - mee giri (mae geri)

Side kick - yuku-giri (yoko geri)

Back kick - kushi giri (koshi geri)

Knee kick - chinshi giri

Toe kick - iibi zaachi giri

Naihanchi kick - naifanchi-giri (naihanchi-geri)

Reception [block] - uki (uke)

High reception - wii uki (ue-uke)

Rising reception - aji uki (age-uke)

Down reception - hicha-uki (shita-uke)

Outside reception - fuka-uki (hoka-uke)

Inside reception - naaka uki (naka uke), uchi uki (uchi uke)

2) Arts and Sub-Arts: [ti (te) can be translated as “technique” or “method” unless it obviously refers to a physical hand]

Tang [Chinese] techniques - tudi (Tode)

Okinawan techniques Uchinadi (Okinawa-te)

Empty hand - karati (karate)

Palace techniques - udundi (gotende)

Seizing techniques - tuidi (torite)

Vital point techniques - chibudi (tsubo-te)

Energy work - chii-ku (kiko)

Entanglement techniques- karamidi (karamite)

How the hands are used [kata application/bunkai] tichiki (te-tsuki)

Divine techniques - kamidi (kami-te) [the same kanji also be pronounced “shinshu” in Japanese]

Shuri techniques - suidi (shuri-te)

Tomari techniques tumaidi (tomari-te)

Naha techniques - nafadi (naha-te)

Warrior’s techniques bushi nu ti (bushi no te)

3) Special Qualities

Press - usui (osae)

Heavy-sticky – muchimi (mochimi)

Spongy/springy - muchi (mochi) [springy like cooked rice]  

Skeletal application (especially shoulders, pelvis, scapula, and chest) kuchikaki (kotsukake)

“Muscles/tendons and bones” - chinkuchi (kin-kotsu)  [an alternate literal translation could be "musculoskeletal”]

Heavy hands - ti nu umumi (te no omomi)

Changing hand - findi or finrii (henshu)  

[Proper engagement of the] waist area - gamaku

Surface / under-surface - umuti / ura (omote / ura)

Sequential extension of each joint in the body - gyame

Fast springy movement - chiru nu chan chan

Alternating tension and relaxation - chikara nu nijisashi [can also be the alternation between power going out and power coming back]

4) Counting:

1 - tiichi (hitotsu)

2 - taachi (futatsu)

3 - miichi (mittsu)

4 - yuuchi (yotsu)

5 - ichichi (itsutsu)

6 - muuchi (mutsu)

7 - nanachi (nanatsu)

8 - yaachi ((yatsu)

9 - kukunuchi (kokonotsu) 

10 - tuu (tou)