空手（からて、karate）
- karate

The Japanese word 空手, pronounced からて (karate), translates to "empty hand." It is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands (present-day Okinawa) that emphasizes striking techniques such as punches, kicks, knee strikes, elbow strikes, and open-hand techniques. It also includes blocks and grappling techniques. The defining characteristic is the use of the unarmed body as the primary weapon. The emphasis on "empty hand" signifies the absence of weapons. The goal of 空手 is not simply physical combat but also the development of character, discipline, and mental strength.

⚫︎私は空手を習っています。 Translation: I am learning karate. ⚫︎空手の試合を見に行きました。 Translation: I went to watch a karate match. ⚫︎彼は空手の黒帯を持っています。 Translation: He has a black belt in karate.

You use 空手 when you are referring to the martial art itself. You can also use it to describe someone's practice or skill in 空手. It’s a noun.

空手 is typically written in kanji: 空手. The reading is からて in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word and no variations in the okurigana.

There aren't direct synonyms in Japanese, as 空手 refers to a specific martial art. However, other martial arts like 柔道(jūdō, judo), 剣道(kendō, kendo), or 合気道(aikidō, aikido) are alternatives.

There isn't a direct antonym. Since 空手 is a martial art, any activity unrelated to martial arts can be considered an antonym.

彼は子供のころから空手を練習しています。 ・Translation: He has been practicing karate since he was a child. ・Explanation: This sentence describes someone's long-term involvement in practicing karate.

その道場では空手の厳しい訓練が行われています。 ・Translation: Strict training is carried out in that dojo for karate. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the type of training done in a karate dojo.

The word 空手 evolved from the earlier word 唐手, which meant "China hand" or "Chinese hand." This reflected the influence of Chinese martial arts on Okinawan fighting methods. Over time, the kanji were changed to 空手, which translates to "empty hand," emphasizing the use of the unarmed body.