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karate
/ kəˈrɑːtɪ /
noun
- a traditional Japanese system of unarmed combat, employing smashes, chops, kicks, etc, made with the hands, feet, elbows, or legs
- ( as modifier )
a karate chop to the head
Word History and Origins
Origin of karate1
Word History and Origins
Origin of karate1
Compare Meanings
How does karate compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
When we got a new consigner, I was really excited, because I had seen these karate pants before in other fabrications, but I never saw them in this snakeskin.
"I went to karate school, and we illegally went into nightclubs, to make a little money break-dancing," he told us.
“Put your kids in karate, people,” he said.
He said the event was "not going to be just music" and could include sideshows like a live karate combat pit.
Instead, it began with a 30-minute karate lesson on her family’s balcony in Peshawar, Pakistan.
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More About Karate
What does karate mean?
Karate is a martial art and an unarmed combat and self-defense system that targets weak areas on an attacker’s body by using the hands, arms, legs, and feet to strike with fast, powerful blows. Karate originated in Japan.
Like other martial arts, karate is known for emphasizing the mental aspects of the discipline as well as values like courtesy and respect. The learning level of a person who practices karate is signified with a belt. The highest level is black belt.
A person who practices or competes in karate can be called a karateka. A karate instructor can be called a sensei, and a school where karate is taught can be called a dojo.
Karate is one of the most well-known martial arts. Probably for this reason, the word karate is sometimes used in a very general, casual way as a catchall term for any martial art.
Karate is also practiced as a sport in two main forms. Kumite (meaning “sparring”) is the traditional form involving matches between two fighters who spar against each other and are awarded points for landing blows. The other form, kata (meaning “pattern” or “form”), involves individual competitors performing a rehearsed set of karate techniques (called forms) before a panel of judges. Both types were first included as Olympic events in the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021.
Example: I signed my kids up for karate so that they can learn self-defense and build their confidence.
Where does karate come from?
The first records of the word karate in English come from the mid-1900s. It roughly translates to “empty hand,” from the Japanese word kara, meaning “empty,” and te, meaning “hand.”
Karate traces its origins to other East Asian martial arts. It was developed and refined by inhabitants of the island of Okinawa in the 1600s as a form of unarmed self-defense before spreading throughout Japan and then internationally.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to karate?
- karateka (noun)
What are some words that share a root or word element with karate?
What are some words that often get used in discussing karate?
How is karate used in real life?
Karate is one of the most well-known martial arts. Probably for this reason, other martial arts are often casually (or mistakenly) referred to as karate.
GUESS WHO FINALLY GOT HER FIRST BELT IN THE ART OF KARATE!😭😭😭😭🙏🏽
I was told if I keep up the way I’ve been training I can be a black belt in 3 or 3 and a half years!😭😭🤗🤗
Big ups to my coach for pushing me and not giving up on me even when I wanted to give up 😭❤️ pic.twitter.com/2t5ONL5rlT— Féministe Sorcière (@tastefullysaucy) April 11, 2019
Japan bound to watch my kids compete in the World Wado Kai karate championships.
— James Fell (@BodyForWife) August 6, 2015
#Greetings From #Edify School Electronic City.
Karate will help to improve your confidence and respect.
Practicing karate also helps to improve discipline and mental toughness .
These mental benefits can then be used in your everyday life. pic.twitter.com/75gqSuLfW7— EdifySchool Ecity (@EdifyEcity) July 6, 2019
Try using karate!
What does the word karate roughly translate to?
A. empty hand
B. way of the fist
C. empty foot
D. foot and fist
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