1.
karate, the way of the empty hand
A Japanese martial art originating from Okinawa that emphasizes striking techniques using punches, kicks, knee strikes, and open-hand techniques. The formal name for what is commonly called 空手.
空手道を学んでいる。
I'm studying karate.
空手道は沖縄発祥の武道だ。
Karate is a martial art originating from Okinawa.
空手道は2020年の東京オリンピックで正式種目になった。
Karate became an official event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
WORD FORMATION:
空 (empty) + 手 (hand) + 道 (way/path)
The name means "the way of the empty hand," reflecting that it is primarily an unarmed martial art.
USAGE:
空手道 is the formal name. In everyday conversation, 空手 is more commonly used. The ～道 suffix emphasizes it as a disciplined path of self-improvement, not just a fighting technique.
MAJOR STYLES:
- 松濤館流 (Shotokan)
- 剛柔流 (Goju-ryu)
- 糸東流 (Shito-ryu)
- 和道流 (Wado-ryu)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 空手道の道場: karate dojo
- 空手道の型: karate forms
- 空手道の黒帯: karate black belt